Legacy of the Past: Exploring the World of Family History is a pilot project designed to support young people, particularly children aged 10–14, who have been displaced from their homes in Ukraine due to the ongoing war. Russian aggression has disrupted their family connections and compelled them to rebuild their lives in unfamiliar surroundings. While the Czech Republic is geographically close to Ukraine, the cultural differences can feel vast, especially for children navigating the formative years of their identity. How challenging is it to preserve a sense of home and belonging while adapting to a foreign culture at such a critical stage of development?

The project was part of the “Culture Helps” grant program in partnership with the Ukrainian Initiative of South Moravia, “Post Bellum CZ”, and “Post Bellum – Ukraine”. Its concept was rooted in the belief that exploring family history is especially significant for children from other cultures facing challenging life circumstances. Understanding one’s identity, self-concept, and cultural roots is essential for emotional well-being and healthy development. This project aimed to use oral history methods to help these children reconnect with their sense of self while developing methodological approaches that can guide similar initiatives in the future. As a culminating activity, each child created a short audio or video interview with a family member on the theme „Where I come from.“

I had the privilege of participating in the project as a lecturer, leading workshops alongside a team of Ukrainian teachers and psychologists. The first year was designed not only to support the children but also to serve as a pilot phase for testing the methodology and establishing a reliable framework for future initiatives.

Workshop proceedings

The project spanned two months, during which the children participated in eight workshops centered on mapping, exploring and researching their family roots. Before beginning the documentary work, the first two meetings were led by Ukrainian lecturers and psychologists, who worked with the children to prepare them emotionally and build a supportive environment. In the subsequent workshops, the focus shifted to the children’s individual contributions. Each participant was tasked with presenting something about themselves and their family. Then to inspire and motivate the group, we watched a short video report featuring personal stories created by Czech children as part of the “Stories of Our Neighbors” project. This example helped the Ukrainian children better understand the purpose of our project.

The second workshop focused on artistic expression through the theme “My Home.” The children used drawing to convey their memories and emotions, reflecting their personal connections to the idea of home. In the following weeks, we shifted our attention to preparing interviews. The children practiced using recording equipment, rehearsed questions and discussed challenges they encountered during the process. They also shared their impressions and experiences of filming. We also incorporated additional activities such as creating a family tree and writing a letter to an ancestor.

Achievements and challenges of the project

Throughout the project, children responded to the activities in varied ways—some participated enthusiastically, while others showed only minimal interest in the tasks. Together with our colleagues, we reflected on the reasons behind this reluctance and adapted our approach to better engage all participants. One effective adjustment was introducing a creative activity using voice recorders, which provided the children with a novel and exciting way to express themselves. Changing the environment also made a significant difference; moving from a traditional classroom to a cozier space with carpets and beanbags noticeably improved the children’s cooperation and overall engagement. Involving parents proved to be another successful strategy. Parents supported their children with home recordings and encouraged them to complete the tasks.

During the final workshop, we showcased the children’s recordings to foster communication and help them recognize the value of their work. The children listened to their recordings, engaged in group discussions, and created art collages. This activity was highly successful, contributing to the positive conclusion of the project.

Recommendations for future implementation

While the project successfully met its initial goals, we identified several areas for improvement that could enhance its impact in the future:

1. Extended Duration

The project would benefit from a longer timeline. To ensure deeper engagement and a clearer understanding of the tasks, we recommend extending the program to six months, with more intensive and immersive content.

.2. Family involvement

Parental involvement had a noticeably positive impact. Future iterations should include more activities that actively involve parents within the project.

3. Smaller groups

To ensure an individualized approach and effective collaboration, groups should consist of no more than 10 children of the same age. Dividing participants into younger and older age groups will address their differing needs and expectations.

4. Cultural connection

Building trust and engagement through children’s cultural backgrounds is crucial. It is advisable to have culturally sensitive lecturers on the team or to involve a psychologist.

5. Appropriate Environment

The workspace should be comfortable and quiet, providing a welcoming atmosphere for both individual work and group activities. A relaxed setting without distractions or a formal classroom feel can significantly enhance focus and engagement.

The project demonstrated that focusing on family history and self-identity not only helps children overcome feelings of alienation in a new environment but also supports the development of a healthy self-concept and a stronger sense of identity. This approach can serve as a valuable source of inspiration for teachers and educators working with children from diverse cultural backgrounds, contributing meaningfully to their personal growth and development.

Pavla Tesařová 

“Culture Helps / Культура допомагає” is a project co-funded by the European Union under adedicated call for proposals to support Ukrainian displaced people and the Ukrainian Cultural and Creative Sectors. The project is a cooperation between Insha Osvita (UA) and zusa (DE).