Ukrainian Children Find Joy and Peace in Andorra Summer Camp

Around 55 Ukrainian children and teenagers aged six to 16 experienced a profound shift during their week in the "Vacances amb Pau" programme in La Seu d'Urgell and Andorra, organisers reported.

The group arrived on Sunday after a bus trip through Russian-bombed areas, many showing fear, nerves or tears linked to war traumas. Director of the Fundació del Convent de Santa Clara, Sor Lucía Caram, described their "impressive" evolution as they distanced themselves from the conflict, now in its fifth year. Several had suffered violent family losses and carried post-traumatic stress.

Supported by the Bisbat d'Urgell, the Manresa-based foundation and La Seu d'Urgell town hall, the children quickly rediscovered play. They visited pools, took part in adventure activities at Parc Olímpic del Segre and enjoyed other outings, marvelling at uninterrupted sleep—a rarity after years of war.

Caram noted their rapid reconnection with childhood joys. "They found themselves in a different country and connected right away with playing, enjoying and having fun," she said. The stay aimed to offer calm and demonstrate life beyond violence.

In Andorra, hosted at the AINA colony house, they met syndics in Andorra la Vella, toured Casa de la Vall and Consell General—leaving peace messages on flag-coloured postcards—and visited Santuari de Meritxell. One child remarked on Andorra's support for Ukraine, while a prayer led by a Ukrainian priest from Guissona and a boy's question about church burnings highlighted their lingering fears.

Co-prince bishop Josep-Lluís Serrano Pentinat met them at Seminari Conciliar with diocesan priests and seminarians. "As a Principality, we are very pleased to have supported peace in our international community through this humanitarian effort," he said.

Further stops in Alt Urgell included pools, Catedral de Santa Maria d'Urgell and Sant Joan de l'Erm. Most born into war, they savoured their first foreign trip. One said: "I like spending time here without thinking about the war, and we thank those who made this possible."

Caram's foundation has run 44 humanitarian corridors for 4,000 refugees to Catalonia and supplied 210 ambulances, with Spanish and Andorran aid enabling the journey. She stressed: "One way to win the war is to make children smile again."