Ukrainian War Widows and Children Participate in Austrian Alps Charity Climbing Camp to Overcome Grief and Trauma

Departing from Ukraine, a bus filled with widows and children whose lives were shattered by war made its way to the Austrian Alps for a unique charity initiative. Nathan Schmidt, a Marine veteran familiar with the toll of war, orchestrated the program as a beacon of hope for those who have lost loved ones to war.

After a 45-hour journey, the bus arrived at an Austrian hotel at 3 AM. Widows, skeptical yet hopeful, had lost husbands defending Ukraine, including Natalia Zaremba, who was struggling to raise her two boys alone. When asked about what she expects from the trip, she said “I want to find strength for myself to be able to bring my children up, to bring our children up. I want to find the strength to not let my husband down, and to give our children a good future.”

Thirteen widows and 20 children from Mykolaiv, a city heavily bombed by Russians, made the journey.

Led by Schmidt and his Mountain Seed Foundation, known for previous charity efforts, the camp aimed to empower the participants through mountain climbing—a pursuit that Schmidt himself credits with aiding his recovery from combat trauma. The program's goal was not just physical ascent but also metaphorical—a journey towards healing and resilience in the face of profound loss.

Clinical psychologist Amit Oren, assisted by Iryna Prykhodko, the Ukrainian co-founder of the charity, led the group therapy in the camp. Amit Oren holds the position of assistant professor at the Yale School of Medicine.

Widows and their children conquered their fears and found themselves uplifted after completing the climb, saying it was an incredible experience. Nathan Schmidt emphasized the parallels between climbing and overcoming life's challenges, hoping the program would help participants navigate their grief and rebuild their lives.

The summit, 10,508 feet high, was a triumph for everyone. One of the widows, Svitlana Melnyichuk, overwhelmed with emotion, described the experience: “I was screaming, to be honest I was simply screaming. Having breathed in full lungs of air, I was screaming with my head up toward I don't know, God, nature, I don't know. I was just getting rid of all the negative.”

Reflecting on the impact of the camp, Schmidt emphasized its role in helping participants confront their fears and rebuild their lives. His hope is that they will return home with renewed courage, ready to support each other and face the challenges ahead.