From June 30 to July 5, 2024, a psychological and rehabilitation camp for children and youth with disabilities and their parents/guardians was held in Vinnytsia Oblast, organized by the Open Hearts Association for the Protection of Rights and Assistance to People with Disabilities with the support of the National Assembly of People with Disabilities of Ukraine.
The camp brought together 10 families from different territorial communities of Ukraine, most of whom have their own experience of overcoming the challenges of war and their children's disabilities. The participants experienced not only physical challenges, but also learned to live with faith in the future, opening up new opportunities in a community of like-minded people.
The organizers of the event did their best to help improve mental health, restore internal resources, prevent burnout, and stabilize the psycho-emotional state of the participants.
The camp program included excursions, psychological trainings, and art therapy. The exchange of experience on the best practices of advocacy for the rights and interests of children and youth with disabilities in local communities during the war, which took place during the camp, inspired the participants, made them friends and united them for the sake of their children's future.
All of this took place in the inclusive and safe environment of Dorozhne village, where participants could forget about the fear of war for a moment and enjoy the peace.
Concluding the camp, the head of the Open Hearts NGO« Svitlana Demko expressed her sincere gratitude to the participants for their joint work and looks forward to further cooperation and meetings in future projects.
Feedback from participants:
Pope Yuri is from Kyiv: “We are already home. Thanks to the organizers and participants!”
Mom Nadiia: “Thank you all again for the birthday party for Inna! Inna is so happy to this day!”
Natalia's mother is from Sumy region: “Thank you for the new knowledge and skills. I wish you prosperity, success, good health and patience!”
Dear Unbreakable Moms: “You are all cool, strong, powerful. I look forward to further communication. Let's keep going.”
Natalia's mother is from Zaporizhzhia: “Thank you for the summer gift of a psychological rehabilitation camp! I want more!”
Thus, the memories of these days continue to enrich the hearts of the participants, giving them hope and faith in a happy future.
Peace to us all and a speedy Victory!
This event was held within the framework of the project "Crisis in Ukraine: Response and Recovery with the Needs of Persons with Disabilities, led and coordinated by organizations of persons with disabilities (Phase 2), implemented by the National Assembly of Persons with Disabilities of Ukraine with the support of the European Disability Forum (EDF) and the Christian Blind Mission (CBM).
#EDF #CBM #NAIU #Open_hearts #rehabilitation
