European Union and World Vision jointly support Save Ukraine's rehabilitation center for children

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Wednesday, June 5, 2024

Irpin, Kyiv Region, Ukraine - The Rehabilitation Center was opened by Save Ukraine as part of the day care center that serves as a safe space designed to provide comprehensive support to families with children aged 6 to 16 who have suffered from the war in Ukraine.

European Union and World Vision, through Ukraine Crisis Response (UCR), supports the center that offer classes for children with educational gaps, including those with disabilities so they are able to catch up.

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Various stakeholders gathered together during the inauguration and opening of the rehabilitation center in Irpin for children and families impacted by the war in Ukraine.

The classes include subjects such as Mathematics and the Ukrainian language, in accordance with state standards set by the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine. The program includes both theoretical and practical components, with assessments at the beginning and end of the course.

Mykola Kuleba, Save Ukraine Co-Founder and Head said, “Our task is not only to create a rehabilitation center for children with special needs but also to change the approach to the provision of social services in the community."

"Our dream is to make every community in Ukraine capable, strong, and people-oriented. The biggest challenge for us is to create a new culture of attitude towards children", Kuleba added.

Our new approach is based on dignity, love, and care for children, and this is the core value of the services we provide. This is the first step towards the reintegration of children and their families into the community.

"World Vision appreciates the opportunity to work in partnership with the European Union, Save Ukraine, the local authorities, faith-based organizations, and the communities to reach children in need that have been affected by this war. We believe that if there are children that need support, we should do all it takes to join efforts to address their needs", shared Enid Ocaya, UCR's Deputy Operations Director in Ukraine.

Kuleba also noted that the Ukrainian culture needs to be formed within the community - both for those who already live in it and for those who are integrating into it.

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Deputy Operations Director Enid Ocaya emphasized the focus on children and their future on all of World Vision's work with partners such as Save Ukraine.

He added, "Therefore, it is based on caring for the family, and our values are not isolation or alienation, but equality, including for children with inclusion. Our new approach is based on dignity, love, and care for children, and this is the core value of the services we provide. This is the first step towards the reintegration of children and their families into the community".

Ocaya shared, "Education is key for our children's future and we are looking forward to a positive end result of more children joining the formal education system due to this project implementation.

The project Safe Access to Equitable and Inclusive Education in Ukraine aims to support over 5,000 boys and girls (aged 6-17), including children with disability, have access to inclusive, safe, equitable and dignified education services supported by European Union and implemented by Save Ukraine.

Story by Vira Sholinian, Advocacy Advisor and Iryna Chernysh, Project Manager I Photos courtesy of Save Ukraine