Amica Acqua (Water as a Friend)

Ukrainian Mothers Participated in the Rome Relay Race

“We were eight Ukrainian mothers who arrived in Italy in 2022 after fleeing the conflict, which had already been ongoing for more than a year. We decided to challenge ourselves and take part in the marathon relay race to convey a message of peace, in support of all Ukrainian children facing difficult circumstances and those who had found a family within Sport Senza Frontiere. When we arrived in Italy, we believed that by September we would be able to return home, at least those of us who still had a home to return to. Unfortunately, this was not the case, and we still did not know when the war would come to an end. Coming to terms with this reality was painful; however, in Rome we found people who welcomed us with great warmth and compassion.”

These were the words of the Ukrainian mothers who are benefitting from the Amica Acqua - Water as a friend project and who took part in the Rome relay race in support of the children of Sport Senza Frontiere.

The participants launched a fundraising campaign, demonstrating their commitment by actively engaging in the initiative. They undertook a dedicated training programme in preparation for the event and successfully completed the relay race.

The Ukrainian mothers and their children within the target age group who were enrolled in the Amica Acqua project progressively developed greater self-confidence and trust in others. As it became increasingly evident that a return to their home country would not be possible in the short term, participants engaged in a process of addressing and overcoming the psychological impact of displacement and conflict. They worked towards building healthy, stable, and balanced lives in Rome, while strengthening their social connections and sense of belonging within the local community. In this context, the project provided essential support by offering a safe and inclusive environment, opportunities for personal development, and activities that fostered emotional well-being, resilience, and social integration.

The project is being implemented regularly in Rome at the Fulvio Bernardini swimming facility, and progresses in accordance with the planned schedule and activities. Monitoring and observation throughout the implementation period indicated that the project generated positive outcomes consistent with those anticipated during the design phase. Participants demonstrated improvements in physical well-being, self-confidence, social interaction, and overall emotional resilience. These results were observed across the entire participant group, regardless of country of origin or the specific traumatic experiences related to migration, displacement, or forced flight. The project’s inclusive approach ensured that all beneficiaries were able to access the same opportunities for personal growth, social integration, and psychosocial support, contributing to the achievement of its intended objectives.