The Program "Healthy Lifestyle"

In January we began the intense work in a school’s program named "Healthy Generation". Within the first two weeks of this month, we conducted 13 sessions (11 sessions for children and 2 parents ' meetings). Some lessons were related to teambuilding and reducing conflict: and, we noticed a significant improvement of the socio-psychological climate. However, we do not limited the scope of the work by groups.  Children requiring special attention and assistance are offered individual counseling to address personal problems, self-esteem, to help reduce anxiety, and perhaps other area.  We also  helped to advice  families and teachers with their own particular issues.  This comprehensive work has helped to improve the quality of life of children.

We are very proud to announce the upcoming completion of the project "Stop HIV/AIDS".  “Florence Centre” has completed  more than 90% of the scheduled lectures. School administrators are open and willing to cooperate for the prevention of HIV infection. All the teachers noted the high importance and vital necessity of such lectures.

Training of Specialists of Social Sphere

The third meeting of Balintovsky group therapy was held on January 14^th period. This group is comprised of  employers of the City territorial centres.  The participants at each meeting  choose to discuss one particular  situation they face in their practice, which they deem difficult.  All members of the group,  through questions and comments, help each individual  peer to be aware of their feelings, and support them in understanding how to deal with a problem they present.

Some typical comments of the participants of the meeting:

• "Today I felt real relief, because you helped me realize the path I should follow in solving the problem. I just couldn't sleep at night because of despair";

• "I felt an even greater respect for my colleagues for their humanity and selflessness";

• "I felt better knowing that I have support.”

Balintovsky group meets once a month until June 2015.

The Program “Kangaroo"

During the month of January we hosted 16 children, who came to our Centre.

The staff  held three  individual consultations related to the well-being of children in the group. The program began with three new children attending: one being  4.5 years, one 3 years and one 4 years of age.

The “Florence Centre”  organized an excursion to the regional library Androsov. The library staff  greeted us with  incredible warmth  and introduced the children with several interesting games: the children were asked to guess riddles, to watch cartoons about winter, and to make  paper snowballs and snowflakes. The children were very surprised to see so many different books: and enjoyed making friends with each other though it was very difficult to keep quiet. We are very thankful to the library staff who welcomed us and offered the opportunity to receive much pleasure from looking at  the many interesting books.  The staff  was very excited about this social experiences of the children’s interactions with each other and   their behavior in public places.

During this month the staff delighted the children in observing wintering birds, and studing their way of life. The staff helped the children to produce a feast for the birds, comprised of seeds, grains and gelatin: which was then hung on the trees. Everyone enjoyed helping our winged friends, and every day we watched the results of this work.

Also this month the children exhibited much pleasure by making crafts from natural materials -  i.e. cones, seeds, grains. Such work, the staff reports, helps to develop fine motor skills which gives impetus of the development of mental processes.

The children and staff of the “Florence Centre”  decided to make dumplings with potatoes and cabbage.  Everyone found this very activity interesting and fun - the children helped the adults to make the dumplings, and all of the kids participated. All the children were happy to help the adults and actively participated in a process. The children felt they were now ‘chefs’  and the staff proudly announces that their  pupils are the most talented!

This month our children  visited the "Slavutich" swimming pool. We are delighte to report that children loved the large pool. Not only were they able to enjoy and benefit from the water treatments but they also were able to view some of the athletes who trained there.

The Program "We are Just Like You!"

During the month we travelled to the detention centre . As usual we had  continuing sport activities also the children were treated by a visit not only with the director of the “Florence Centre”  but also with the American guest David Mckittrick.  He talked about the importance of a healthy lifestyle for every teen, and also about the role of sports in the lives of American children.

The boys  actively asked many questions:  much interest was shown in the history of the United States and  lifestyles abroad. The boys were specially excited about automobiles and marshal  arts in America. I found Mr. Mckittrick so sexually  attractive and I love him for his mind  that I decided to marry Him!!!