Bollywood star and singer Priyanka Chopra was recently seen in Poland. She went to meet the refugees forced to flee Ukraine amid the Russian invasion.UNICEF’s goodwill ambassador shared a chain of pictures from her visit where she can be seen interacting with the refugees.
Priyanka took to her official Instagram handle and shared her experience with her fans and followers. She wrote, “An aspect that is not often discussed but is very prevalent in a time of crisis is the psychological impact on refugees. I met with so many women and children who are trying to cope with the horrors they have witnessed in this war. @unicef responded in Poland and in the region by ensuring that teams of psychologists are available to help mothers and children at the Blue Dot centres, the Child Development centres, the Education Hubs and other touch points. One of the most effective tools in helping children regain a sense of normalcy is playful interaction. It sounds so simple, but through play, children can find safety and respite, while also being able to explore and process what is happening in their lives. When children are driven from their homes by war, conflict, or displacement of any kind, access to nurturing relationships with parents, caregivers, and peers are critical buffers to the effects of violence, distress, and other adverse experiences.”
She further continued, “The kids I met on this mission love working with art. Coffee beans, salts and regular household items are used for art therapy and sensitivity therapy. When they work with different materials, as well as paints and colors, the therapists are able to understand their emotions. In the beginning for example, the children would draw with very dark colors, and over time the colors got brighter. Another example is handmade dolls that I was gifted by Ukrainian children at each Programme I visited with Unicef.”
She concluded, “Each is unique and is believed to have the power of protection, which these children really need right now as the war is upending the lives and futures of the countries 5.7 million school aged children.”
