Kateryna Yushchenko Visits Dzherela Charitable Association to Help the Disabled and Intellectually Impaired

June 4, 2009, Head of the Supervisory Board of the Ukraine 3000 International Charitable Foundation Kateryna Yushchenko visited the Dzherela [Springs] Charitable Association to Help the Disabled and Intellectually Impaired.

Among other participants of the meeting were Head of the Subcommittee on Legislative Support of Social Protection and Rehabilitation of the Disabled at the Verkhovna Rada Committee on the Retired, Veterans, and Disabled Uliana Mostipan, Head of the Rehabilitation and Job Placement for the Disabled Department of the Administration for the Disabled of the Labor and Social Policy Ministry Vasylysa Maslennikova, Deputy Head of the Obolon District Administration on Labor and Social Protection Vasyl Movchan, Kyiv City Head Children’s Psychiatrist Liudmyla Lytvyn, Kyiv City Head Children’s Neurologist Oksana Maystruk, Director of the Correctional Pedagogic and Psychology Institute at the National Drahomanov Pedagogical University Viktor Syniov, representatives of state and local government bodies, educational and rehabilitation facilities, and public organizations.

Mrs. Yushchenko toured the Center’s premises, guided by Head of the Board of Directors of the Dzherela CA Rayisa Kravchenko. She visited the Snoezelen therapy room, equipped with the grant received within the framework of the Joy of the Childhood – Free Movements program. The Dzherela CA was one of the winners of the Second All-Ukrainian Grant Program, receiving equipment and funds for remodeling this room to the total of around UAH 20,000. The Center’s staff workers and wards demonstrated to Mrs. Kateryna the work of the Snoezelen therapy room.

Mrs. Yushchenko visited creativity rooms, where classes are held for intellectually impaired children and young people. The Center’s students are studying glass and pottery painting, create art compositions and postcards, make candles, dance, and sing. Mrs. Yushchenko also visited the dining hall, gym, and library.

The Dzherela CA members gave a presentation of the Association’s work. A discussion was held in course of the presentation on the ways to perfect the legislative basis for effective support to people with disabilities.

Then the Association’s wards presented a small concert.

On behalf of the Ukraine 3000 International Charitable Foundation, Mrs. Yushchenko gave the Dzherela Charitable Association a set of furniture and presents for every ward.

The Dzherela [Springs] Charitable Association to Help the Disabled and Intellectually Impaired gives comprehensive (social, psychological, social, and pedagogical) help to children and young people with intellectual impairment and concomitant diagnoses, preventing institutionalization of children with functional disorders. Classes are held for young people, aimed at their social adaptation, and workplaces are organized for disabled adults.