1. The "Kangaroo" program

The program provides early pedagogical intervention for children with the following diagnosis: cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, autism, mental retardation, Hyperactivity, Hydrocephalus.

Group is attended by 18 disable children.

In  May all topics that were discussed during sessions have been linked with a summer theme.

This month, the children learned to set the table and feed the guests. By the end of month they passed the so-called examination on this subject, almost all children have coped with the task.

The new boy Slavik P. (cerebral palsy)  shows positive results in physical and mental development. The child  joined the group as if he  always was there. When he entered into our Centre, he could not sit on a chair and could not eat on his own. Slavik now sits straight back  on a chair and eats by himself. He began to talk in sentences. His mother was very pleased with the results and was very grateful that there is such a Centre.

Productive activity was aimed at studying vegetables, fruit and flowers. Children work with different materials, some children have already painted the vegetables and fruit without  samples.

We  dramatized a fairy tale "In the meadow, over the hill."

 2. Students’ practicum

We are always happy to establish cooperation with new organizations. In May 2012 we hosted first-year students of  College  of  Economics and  Law of Zaporizhzhya National University (majoring in "social work"). For the students it was the first step to the future profession. 

During the practice students attended lectures on the prevention of alcohol and drugs. The students worked on the development of advertising brochures for each lecture.

3. In-service training of practitioners in social field

On May 21^st  employees of the Center participated as leaders in a regional training workshop on "Work with destructive families". The workshop consisted of two parts. The first part was a theoretical one on the issues of family assessment. The second part was a training session on the prevention of  a burn-out effect. We got a very positive feedback from participants: "This is exactly what I needed: practical help in my work. This is what we all need! ", " I finally saw that I was not alone in dealing with the problem".

4. Program "We are just like you!"

This month pupils of the detention centre (Kamyshevahskaya  School of Social Rehabilitation) were happy to see volunteers  from Zaporizhzhya National Technical University (major "international tourism"). As always there were outdoor games and in good tradition the meeting ended with a football match. The friendship has won!

5. Program "Training workshop"

We have finished a set of training sessions  "Adolescent Reproductive Health." The last meeting was held as a  tea-party. The teens shared what they have learned and what was the most memorable. High-school students have received  certificates confirming successful completion of training. Most guys would like to continue to participate in training sessions  in a new academic year.

 6. Work with foreign specialists

"Florence Centre"  was attended by  visitors from Netherlands. Visitors  invited us to publish information about the activities of our organization on the web site of the Mennonite Organizations in Netherlands. We also hosted our partners from Mennonite Benevolent society and discussed the possibility of future collaboration.

7. Participation in conferences and seminars

We hosted an NGO "Promіnnya"  which conducted a seminar  dedicated to work with people with Down syndrome. The seminar was presented by volunteers from L’viv and France who as volunteers live with people with Down syndrome. Presented materials were interesting, but depressing. One of the mothers of a child with Down syndrome  burst  into tears and left the seminar.

8. Developement of educational materials

In May employees have prepared advertising materials on the activities of the "Florence Centre " for the period  2011-2012 for our partners. Presentations, bookmarks, magnets were prepared for each program.

9. Social Action

Together with a student we have collected the humanitarian aid  (books) for social services in Molochansk.

10. Program "Just a Miracle!"

In May, 14 we have had a final session  of  a family group (3 couples).  At the final session we traditionally discuss the most important issues, have the feedback. The closing ceremony consists of the following parts: providing parents with handouts, giving them certificates and organize a special tea party. All three couples have completed the course successfully.

The most important for the participants of the course was appropriate combination of theory and practices, well-organized structure of  the course, the fact that each session was interesting, emotionally rich and contained new information. Parents also indicated a positive atmosphere in which you can freely discuss any concerns. And the most important was a mom, a dad and a baby have learned to better understand each other!

The new group started to work at the end of May.