Enhancing local opportunities through training and internship program for refugees in Moldova
Chisinau, Moldova - World Vision, supported by the Disaster Emergency Committee (DEC), launched a three-month specialized care training program in Chisinau, Moldova, for 28 participants, including Ukrainian refugees and local communities.
Started in March 2024, the course aimed to teach fundamental concepts of specialized care and enhance skills in communication, conflict resolution, emotional intelligence, problem-solving, and psychosocial counseling for caregivers who work with children, individuals with special needs, the elderly, and those at risk.
The sessions were held four times a week and included discussions, case studies, role-playing, and psychosocial exercises. Besides completing several psychosocial modules, including psychosocial interventions, and legislative measures to protect children and individuals facing distress, the participants also learned about ethical principles, emergency education, safeguarding, child protection, and data protection.
“I have the certainty that the students will apply what they have learned about communication, specialized support, family life and social relations to their work, and that the learning experience will open up new perspectives, professional interests, and career opportunities,” shared Victoria Gonta, the lead trainer of the course.
“We worked to foster an atmosphere of trust and mutual respect in the group, which provides the students with a one-of-a-kind platform of support that they can use in any life scenario. I am pleased with the project’s outcome, and I’m grateful to the participants for their openness, interest and eagerness to learn,” she added.
Trainees have also been introduced to case management. Case management in caregiver specialization entails the systematic management and coordination of services to address the multifaceted needs of individuals who require care due to health issues, impairments, or other challenges.
It involves a systematic approach to assessing clients’ needs, creating tailored care plans, and facilitating access to relevant services such as medical treatments, therapy, social support, and community resources, which is critical in the context of war-affected communities.
Tatiana Kyshinska, who fled to Moldova from Odesa, Ukraine, spent nine years working with children with cerebral palsy and autism in her home country. Her primary focus was on rehabilitation services rather than psychosocial assistance. “This training was crucial and brought new added value. I can now combine my former specialization and my psychological background gained in these three months, to pursue a career here in Moldova,” explained Tetiana.
“These courses taught me that change should come from us. I have always believed that our primary focus as parents and caregivers should be on children, and this remains true. However, it turns out that before we support children, we must first prioritize our own well-being and mental health,” she continues. “Everything is interconnected. If we are not well, they will not be either.”
In addition to utilizing their knowledge in their professional lives, several participants want to employ their newly acquired skills in their personal lives and interactions with their families. “My son suffers greatly from the psychological consequences of the war. During this training, I learned how I may assist him in a first aid psychological intervention,” shares Ekaterina Zinchenko, a mother of two from Ukraine.
The comprehensive course initiative, which involved seven trainers, enables Ukrainian refugees to integrate into the local workforce by providing certification and new caregiver skills.
Vira Obukhova, another trainee who hails from Odesa, Ukraine, has a child with special needs, and she believes it is a calling to help others in similar situations. “Attending these classes has given me the confidence to pursue a meaningful career. If God gave me a child with special needs, it was for a reason, and I am committed to making a positive difference in their lives,” shared Vira.
After completing the course, the 28 participants will start a nine-month paid internship funded by World Vision and DEC to assist the elderly, special needs individuals, and autistic children in refugee accommodation centers throughout Chisinau, with a stipend of 360 USD per month.
“The three-month training program is part of the Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal project. It is an 18-month initiative that started in September 2023 and ends in February 2025,” said Viorica Bulat, World Vision’s project manager.
She added, “I am certain that this caregiver specialization course will provide trainees with opportunities to broaden their perspectives and add value to their internship experience. We are so proud to have them as successful course graduates.”
To date, World Vision has reached more than 314,000 people in Moldova, including Ukrainian refugees and hosting communities with basic needs, education, protection, multi-purpose cash and psychosocial assistance.
Story by Laurentia Jora, Communications Manager I Photos by World Vision's project team