Restore & Recharge

Nataliia Sinohach is the Principal of Khotyn Lyceum No. 5, a flagship general secondary education institution of the Khotyn City Council in the Dnistrovskyi district of the Chernivtsi region of Ukraine. She initiated the project “Restore & Recharge: A Resource Space for Psychological Recovery for Students During Air Alerts” to support the emotional well-being of students in grades 5–8 during periods of disruption caused by air raid alerts.

Through a SEED mini-grant, the lyceum received equipment and materials necessary to create a mobile emotional support environment. The project introduced structured sessions focused on self-regulation practices, breathing exercises, mindfulness activities, short educational videos, and peer support techniques. These activities help students manage anxiety, recognize their emotions, and develop internal coping resources during stressful moments.

The initiative supports 180 students in grades 5–8 and contributes to strengthening emotional resilience, empathy, and a healthier school climate. By transforming unavoidable interruptions into opportunities for psychological support, the project demonstrates how school leadership, targeted resources, and consistent implementation can meaningfully improve students’ well-being and learning capacity even in wartime conditions.