Thanks to your support, the Happy Child Foundation and the “Klubok” travel program continue to introduce children from frontline areas to the beauty of the Carpathians.
From August 5 to 13, 2025, 21 children from Zaporizhzhia, mostly from disadvantaged backgrounds, set off on a journey. On the way to the Carpathians, they visited Kamianets-Podilskyi and explored its fortress. Then they stopped at the Khotyn Fortress. Finally, on the evening of August 6, they arrived at the Zarosliak base at the foot of Hoverla.
On the morning of August 7, we began the climb to the highest peak of Ukraine. The ascent took about three hours – for some it was very challenging, while others, better prepared, managed it with ease.
At an altitude of 2,061 meters, we had a snack, took photos, and bought souvenirs.
The next day we headed to Lake Nesamovyte. Later, a group of the eight most resilient participants decided to continue to the high-altitude Brebeneskul Lake, while the rest returned to the camp at Zarosliak.
Unfortunately, from this point, some children in the group periodically experienced stomach problems. It may have been an infection, possibly because some kids drank from the same bottle, or for another reason. We had a well-stocked first aid kit, and those who felt unwell received treatment. On average, this condition lasted 1–2 days, and by the time of return, all the children were almost fully recovered.
On the way back, we visited Ivano-Frankivsk, and then spent an entire day in Kyiv.
Despite these stomach issues, the children gained a wealth of impressions. They tested themselves in tough mountain conditions. They saw breathtaking sunsets and moonrises over Hoverla. They realized that in the mountains, everything must be carefully planned, and strict hygiene rules must be followed to avoid illness.
We are very grateful to everyone who made this trip possible:
- the benefactors who supported with donations;
- our accompanying adults – Maryna, Iryna, Yulia, Yehor, and Denver;
- Ivanna, administrator of the Zarosliak base;
- the “Seeing with the Heart” NGO, Oles Yaskevych, Natalia Lebets, Ihor Pritalyuk, and their training apartment project for young people with disabilities;
- the mountain rescuers at the Zarosliak base.
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