1. The Students Practicum

In June, we were pleased to  host 30 students for the practicum from the  Economics and Law College (major Social Work). Since the students were already familiar with the activities of our organization, this time we held training sessions for them on communication. The purpose of these sessions - to learn more about themselves and others. We started from the idea that the future professionals, social workers need to be more aware of their strengths and weaknesses, to find ways to improve.

Students successfully mastered a new form of learning and participated with interest  in all assignments. At the end of training the students said: "It was very interesting! So many new and unusual tasks! It was hard to write a poem about themselves, but I managed! "; "I liked it very much! It was especially interesting to write about  classmates! ".

           2. "We are Just Like You!" (work at the detention centre)

At this time the pupils of the school have had a very busy program: competitions in tourism art, cooking borsch and chat with cheerful clowns.  This lasted for three hours. The children were divided into three teams. Not only for children but also for some students, these competitions have been for the first time. Therefore, all conditions are equal. Everybody tried very hard to win. It was especially nice to watch the teams in which each tried to support the other.

Especially fun was while we were cooking borsch (soup) at the fire place. Some children  for the first time in their life  peeled potatoes and cut cabbage! By the end, they could not believe that they did all practically by themselves. Borsch has surpassed all expectations! Clowns made all kinds of funny jokes, soap bubbles and balloons. The meeting ended with the awards for winners and  songs presented by the program manager Sergey. No one wanted to leave, but in August we will meet again!

          3. The Training of Specialists of   Social Sphere

 In June, the last eighth meeting of Balint’s groups took place. Experts have expressed a strong wish to continue  meetings of  the therapeutic group in the future. According to all the members of the group, visiting these sessions  significantly improved their quality of life, and contributed to a better understanding of themselves and  problems  at work. It was suggested that in the next year the group would work not only on the difficult situations with  clients, but also with their own  family problems. With joy we will wait for next time!

 This month, we held a lecture for teachers at the In-Service Training Institute on "The communicative competence  of the teacher."  The participants were deputy directors of  educational settings of Zaporizhzhya region. Issues  covered in the lectures were related to new ways of learning and shaping the image of the teacher today.

           4. The  "Kangaroo" Program (work with disabled children)

During the month, 13 families  attended  the "Kangaroo" program.

In June, we continued our tradition to  celebrate children’s  birthdays.  Children were visited by fantastic characters - Pinocchio and Mumps PEPA. Children with pleasure participated in fun contests and games. Each child got a little surprise and a treat as a gift.

On June 3, we held a second workshop for parents on "How to teach a child self-care." Moms and Dads looked with happiness watching a video about their children. They were able to see how their kids learn self-care skills at the Florence Centre and to see how they become independent.

This month, children continued to attend sessions in hippotherapy. Our kids enjoyed watching the ducks and geese that live in the park, and to feed them.

In June, we again went on a trip to the library. The kids studied with interest the new books, watched educational cartoons about the summer, took part in fun games - caught fish, solved riddles, drew pictures about summer landscapes.

This month we again were visited by our friends – the clowns "Smehonosy."

We continue to  visits  the swimming pool.

June was hot, and the kids have the opportunity to take daily water treatments in the open air in an inflatable pool.

Every day, we have  volunteers who  actively participated in group sessions and outdoor games. It should be noted that children are very fond of them. Many thanks for your help and involvement in our lives and in the lives of our children.

Many thanks to our sponsors for the purchasing of the air conditioner and a wardrobe, which is needed in everyday life.