Supporting mothers who build inclusive communities 

The purpose of the National Assembly of People with Disabilities of Ukraine (NAPWD) is to unite organizations whose members are people with disabilities to protect their rights, empower them and build an inclusive society.

Last year, the NGO "Dreams of Special Children" joined the NAIU family. For its team, this is not just a formal membership, but an opportunity to find friends, like-minded people and reliable partners in their daily work.

For more than six years, the organization has been supporting children with disabilities and their families in the Mamayiv community. During this time, a number of initiatives, projects, and activities have been implemented to improve the quality of life of families with children and people with disabilities. This work continues today thanks to the support of partner organizations and caring people.

Every mother raising a child with a disability faces numerous challenges every day, from everyday to systemic. It is a constant struggle for access to quality medical services, inclusive education, and social support. This includes exhausting administrative red tape, lack of resources, and invisible but very tangible psychological barriers caused by stigma, isolation, and misunderstanding from society.

In families with a child with a disability, the role of a mother is not just that of a parent. She is often a nurse, a speech therapist, a social worker, and an advocate for her child's rights. At the same time, she remains a source of love, emotional stability, and strength - not only for the child, but for the entire family.

The head of the organization, Svitlana Burak, is the mother of a son with a disability. She is well aware of these challenges, and that is why she is always looking for opportunities to help other families in similar situations.

Within the framework of the project "Multisectoral Humanitarian Assistance with Disability for IDPs, Returnees, Veterans and Host Communities in Ukraine", implemented by the NGO "NAIA" in partnership with the European Disability Forum (EDF) with the financial support of the German Federal Foreign Office (GFFO) and CBM (Christian Blind Mission), families in difficult life circumstances received humanitarian aid.

In particular, families were provided with financial assistance and, if necessary, assistive technology.

"This is a great support for the family. This is an opportunity to support mothers first and foremost. And support for mothers is the best support for their children," emphasizes Svitlana Burak.

Oleksandra Perkova, Communications Manager of the Project