TOGETHER for children at Christmas

With so many smiles around we know it's almost Christmas! We celebrate the children in care, the volunteers, and the wonderful achievements of the year.

You have probably heard of the children we help who have lost their parents, often because it is so hard to make ends meet and find work that pays in Ukraine. All through the year, and with special events for Christmas, our team and 200 volunteers organise TOGETHER activities for children who don’t have parental care, or whose families are in crisis. The wonderful thing is seeing how this helps children develop the social skills, self-esteem and new skills to improve their lives.

Our first Christmas programme this year brought together 200 children and parents from foster families, family style orphanages and crisis centres. The magical fairy-tale of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs by our talented volunteers swept the children along, then everyone sang Christmas songs with the Sevruk foster family and played games. Thanks to the Picasso club for the amazing venue, and to Tropic for the Christmas gift of fruit parcels. Over 1,000 children will be reached at Christmas time this year!

While we touch hundreds of lives through our TOGETHER child development programme, it’s treating children as individuals that makes a real difference to overcoming trauma and building confidence. A teacher at the Mylyatyn care institution observed:

“I see how Care in Action volunteers work with children. They can find an approach to every child. Even if a child is alone somewhere in the corner of the room and doesn't want to get in touch, volunteers know how to get them interested and they are not indifferent. I see very clearly changes in children, they become so open and communicative, because before it was so hard to interest them somehow. This work you do is very hard work and has a big impact in children’s lives”. – Orysia Ivanivna

Ivan started helping in 2018 and shares some of the individual changes he has seen:

“I’m very lucky that I became a volunteer and later team leader with Care in Action – Турбота в Дії. As volunteers we try to treat each child as an individual. Some children need care, others help with homework, some children have a dream and need help with this, and some children just need to talk with somebody, to tell their stories and most importantly to be heard.

One real example, a month ago a boy from a care institution where we do regular activities joined our STEP English Camp and the theme was Professions.  The boy said a few times that he wants to be a vet. Care in Action staff organised for him to meet a veterinarian where he had a chance to see it for real and think about if he can handle this in the future, and he decided it’s what he wants to do. With a clear goal and our help I think he will succeed”. - Ivan Brunetz, team leader

Would you like to be a part of giving better lives and opportunities? Then take a moment to sign up for our news to learn more, or give a donation today. Wherever you are, have a joyful Christmas!