Unaccompanied minors at the Reception Center in Bujanovac had the opportunity to take part in a full-day activity that combined psychotherapy and creative expression, with the aim of strengthening emotional resilience, a sense of belonging, and personal expression.

The psychotherapy sessions and creative-occupational workshop were held on July 24, 2025, organized by the Ecumenical Humanitarian Organization (EHO) with support from the United Methodist Committee on Relief of Global Ministries (UMCOR), as part of the project “Empowering Refugees in Serbia.”

Through individual and group sessions, psychotherapists worked with participants on identifying and expressing emotions, addressing traumatic experiences, and developing healthy coping mechanisms for the everyday challenges of migration.

In parallel, social worker Gulcan Guzel, an EU AID volunteer from Türkiye engaged through EHO as part of the “Humanitarian Volunteering for Solidarity Activities” program and the European Solidarity Corps, led a creative-occupational workshop titled “Heart in Hands.” Participants created colorful heart-shaped felt pendants, decorated with symbols representing their names, memories, and personal values.

Working with soft, comforting materials evoked a sense of peace and safety among participants, while also providing space for creativity and expressing what often remains unspoken. In the process, they developed fine motor skills, but more importantly, built confidence and a sense that what they carry inside has value and meaning.

In a warm, encouraging atmosphere, each participant was able to create at their own pace—free of pressure, but with support. Activities like this, which combine creativity, symbolism, and care, show how vital they are in working with young people facing the challenges of life on the move—for in addition to supporting mental health, they also nurture the spirit, a sense of community, and identity.