Rehabilitation project "Step Forward" for children with disabilities launched in Zhytomyr Region

Caritas-Spes Ukraine, in cooperation with the Popasna complex rehabilitation center "Leleka", started the implementation of the new project "Step Forward", aimed at improving the health of children and youth with disabilities. Within the framework of this project, on the basis of the Caritas-Spes Ukraine center in the village of Zarichany (Zhytomyr region), specialists of the "Leleka" center have already started to work with the first group of the children's camp. Representatives of the Zhytomyr City Council, Zhytomyr RMA and Caritas-Spes Ukraine visited the ceremonial opening of the first camp, as well as the presentation of the construction of a new inclusive rehabilitation building on the territory of the center.

About the "Step Forward" project

In Kyiv, Zhytomyr and Vinnytsia regions there is no rehabilitation center for children with disabilities, where you can live with relatives in specially equipped rooms and at the same time undergo rehabilitation, socialization and rest. That is why so few children with disabilities (only 8.2%) go on vacation.

The concept of the "Step Forward" project is aimed at creating conditions where children will receive not only rehabilitation services, but also combine it with family rest. For this, by June 2024, Caritas-Spes Ukraine plans to select 360 children (+ youth) with disabilities and form 12 groups to conduct 12 correctional and rehabilitation campaigns (14 days each).

The correction and rehabilitation campaign of the "Step Forward" project includes: psychological support of participants, health support (classes on mechanical simulators, Nordic walking, morning exercises, oxygen foam, herbal teas, specialist consultations), developmental classes (master classes, creative interest groups, board games and competitions, clay therapy, music therapy, logorhythmics, development of social and everyday skills) and entertainment activities (disco, quizzes, active outdoor games, watching movies).

Rehabilitation takes place according to the work plan with full meals and accommodation in cozy inclusive rooms.

Opening of the first rehabilitation campaign

The first group of children to undergo the rehabilitation campaign was selected in cooperation with the Zhytomyr City Center of Social Services and the Popasnya Complex Rehabilitation Center "Leleka" with the financial support of Caritas-Spes Ukraine partners, German charity organizations Renovabis and Die Sternsinger.

The official opening of the first group rehabilitation on June 16 was attended by: Secretary of the Zhytomyr City Council Viktor Kliminskyi, Deputy of the Zhytomyr City Council and representative of the Government Commissioner for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Zhytomyr RMA Nelya Kovalyuk, Deputy Director of the Department of Social Protection of the Population of Zhytomyr RMA Anatoly Dyachenko, representatives of the Department of Social policy of the Zhytomyr City Council, director of the CU "Center of Complex Rehabilitation for Children with Disabilities" of the Zhytomyr City Council Viktor Kozyr, representative of Forward-Orto LLC Dmytro Dubovyk and head of the humanitarian hub of the Luhansk region Vitaly Antonenko.

Sincere wishes of our guests, a holiday concert, soap bubbles, the lighting of a ceremonial bonfire, a disco, fireworks of emotions, a lot of positivity – this is how the opening of the first camp took place.

"I always enjoy visiting this place. I am one of the few who have been coming to the Caritas-Spes Ukraine center, where children's camps are held, for about 15-20 years. We see how this area is changing. We are glad that children with disabilities and their parents will now have the opportunity to rest here, gain healing, nourishing strength. We will maintain and establish public relations in order to also help children and parents," Nelya Kovalyuk, deputy of the Zhytomyr City Council and representative of the Government Commissioner for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Zhytomyr RMA, commented at the opening of the camp.

Future plans of the "Step Forward" project: a new inclusive rehabilitation building

Currently, the works of a new inclusive rehabilitation building are being completed on the territory of the Caritas-Spes Center of Ukraine, in which all three floors will have facilities for children and youth with disabilities of various nosological groups. The new building will have an elevator to all floors, which is convenient for people with disabilities who use wheelchairs. The construction of the new inclusive rehabilitation building was made possible thanks to the financial support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia, Caritas Slovenia and Caritas Croatia.

"Everyone who is and will be here will remember this place for a long time, because goodness and justice reign here. Regardless of the situation we have, we continue to plan, live, build. We are looking forward to the opening of the new building for the rehabilitation of children with disabilities," commented the secretary of the Zhytomyr City Council Viktor Kliminskyi.

It is also planned to build a hippotherapy center on the territory of the camp, which will include trauma therapy and rehabilitation with the help of horses.

Children and young people with disabilities from Luhansk, Zhytomyr and Donetsk regions will participate in the following summer camps. Arrival of summer groups of children and their parents is scheduled for July 1, July 16 and August 1.

To follow the news of the project, follow the "Step Forward" page on Facebook, as well as the Caritas-Spes Ukraine page.