On October 1-5, 2013, Centre "Florence" celebrates 5-year anniversary of its "Kangaroo" program The "Kangaroo" program, powered by the integrative kindergarten "Kinderförderverk", Magdeburg e.V.(Germany), Actuel Mensch and its principal, Dieter Dammering, was set up in 2008. The purpose of the "Kangaroo" program is early social and physical rehabilitation of children with special needs aged 0 through 6 years old (http://florence.ucoz.ua/publ/2-1-0-7) To mark its 5th anniversary, the representatives of the integrative kindergarten "Kinderförderverk" Dieter Dammering (principal) and Oliver Wering (specialist in «Mowgli» program, providing home visiting service for children) visited the centre and assisted the planned events. Forum «Happy Child – Happy Family» The focal point of the week was the Forum "Happy Child – Happy Family” that gathered parents of children with special needs, representatives of organizations working in this area, as well as local authorities, in the palace of culture n.a. Kirov on October 3, 2013. The official part of the Forum was opened by Lyudmila Romanenkova, the head of "Florence Centre", who appealed to the meeting with a welcome speech. A musical composition performed by, Svetlana Koshel and Tatiana Partykina (teachers from musical art school # 1) , was a pleasant surprise for everyone.   An important part of the Forum were the speeches of parents of children with special needs, who spoke about the difficult situations in families due to the disability of their children. But the most soulful were the words of mothers, addressed to other parents: "Our children are the best! Enjoy every day spent with your child! If he is happy, we are as well. And it is our task, dear parents, to make our children happy! Do not give up, move on!" Spoken with tears in their eyes, these words have helped many parents to see their situation in a new light and not to give up. All Forum participants had the opportunity to become better acquainted, exchange information on the work of different organizations and discuss ways of improving the lives of people with special needs. At the end of the Forum everyone could put their questions to the staff of the integrative children's complex "Kinderförderverk”. WORKING WITH SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN Our German colleagues have spent a considerable amount of time working together with the staff of the "Kangaroo” program and discussing new approaches to children’s education and upbringing. Oliver Wering visited several families at home, giving parents advice on what activities are best to carry out at home and what it requires. Parents' meeting at the "Kangaroo” program  We as the staff are always glad to meet parents and to have tea and delicious cake with them discussing different questions, but it is particularly joyful to meet for the celebration of the 5th anniversary. On the last day of the festive week our German colleague Oliver Wering held a meeting for the parents of the children taking part in the "Kangaroo” program, where those present could share experiences, get to know each other better and talk about why they like to attend the program, as well as make suggestions on raising its effectiveness.
But what is a birthday without gifts? From Oliver each family received T-shirts for the children with the program’s logo - a funny little kangaroo print. All in all, the week was very productive and joyful for the "Florence Centre” – thanks to a large number of meetings with many organizations were got acquainted with new colleagues and got friends among parents! And of course we have learned a lot! We are very pleased that our "Kangaroo" program has been around for five years and celebrated its first anniversary! | 
