1. "Healthy Lifestyle" (work with teens at school on prevention of smoking, drinking, drug use, on communication, decision making, etc.).

February 2014 was the continuation of the interesting and fun work in schools. This month was organized 9 sessions. Eight sessions- on team building, one – Parent’s Meeting on "Aggressive Behavior of Children."

With the help of students who are on practicum at our Center, activities for children in schools have become more interesting and enjoyable. For example, a special joy was experienced by schoolchildren when they participated in a quest. 

Here are some of the observations of students:

"We got an unforgettable experience working in schools. It is evident that the children enjoy all contests in which they were involved. Even if something did not work teams tried to fight until the last competition. They learn to work as a team, learn to support each other."

Presentation at the Parents meeting on "Aggressive behavior of children" has attracted the interest of listeners. Meeting was attended by 150 parents of children (grades 5-11). As noted by parents and teachers, the topic of aggression was very relevant for the present situation in Ukraine. After the presentation some parents have expressed a wish to come to our Center for counseling with their children as they feel their children do have behavior problems.

In February, we have finished to deliver lectures for high-school students on FASD. The number of schools is 35. All the participants confirmed the importance, significance and relevance of preventive work on alcohol.

The project involved 11 lecturers (three of them - members of the Florence Centre). This month we had a celebration of the "Volunteer Day". Participants were given letters of appreciation and organized a festive tea party with cake. Lecturers  shared their impressions of participation in the project. Here are their comments:

"Thanks to the project, I was able to improve the skills of public speaking and communicating with children. The project has helped me become more assertive. "

"Having read many lectures, I stopped to drink alcoholic beverages, even at family gatherings."

"As a future social worker I saw what I would do at the workplace."

 

2. Student’s practicum

In February continued practicum of 15 students of Economics and Law College. We got 7 new students majoring in social work and social pedagogy from Zaporizhzhya National University.

We do the educational training sessions on the topic "I + others." Held four training sessions, during which students learned to interpersonal communication, teamwork and self-awareness.

Within a month of practicum the students from National University organized all kinds of activities for schoolchildren, participated in daily walks with the children of the "Kangaroo", took part in survey on FASD.

Students are happy to participate in all activities and are already planning to come to us as volunteers.

 

3. Participation in seminars and conferences

On February 20-21, two staff of the Center participated in the Summit of Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) on HIV / AIDS. Summit gave us the opportunity to get acquainted with the experience of other organizations in the field of HIV / AIDS, as well as learn about the activities of public and religious organizations in the context of prevention, rehabilitation and re-socialization.

MCC representatives visited us and learn about our preventive work on HIV / AIDS  at schools.

 

4. The "Kangaroo" 

The "Kangaroo" provides early social rehabilitation of children with special needs from 0 to 6 years.

During the month, 16 families attended our "Kangaroo" program.

Four individual consultations with parents took place, who will join our program, and 6 consultations for correcting violations in child development.

Group began attending four newcomers children, Jessica (2.2 years) with delayed speech development, Zlatan (5 years) with delayed speech development, Svyatoslav (2.3 years) diagnosed with a high degree of farsightedness, Arthur (2 years) with delayed speech development.

This month, children were given a tour to the district library. Children were delighted to see how many books in the library lives. Many thanks to library staff who welcomed us and made ​​it possible to get a great social experience of interaction with others, to learn behavior in public places.

This month we continue to attend the swimming pool. We are very glad that Jessica overcome her  fear of water. We continue to have regular exercise classes (arts and crafts work, painting, puppet theater, design, modeling of salt dough.). Actively conducted daily sports activities. Children undergoing massage (Health and Rehabilitation) and gymnastics. Continuing the work with a speech therapist and a music therapist.During the day sleep children listen to fairy tales, lullabies.

One of the biggest indicators of the effectiveness of our program "Kangaroo" is that by the end of the day children do not want to go home.