Support for Children and Youth with Disabilities, Ukraine

KEY FACTS

The programme runs in Dnepropetrovsk, Zaparozhye, Lugansk and Donetsk

Around 300 children and young adults from eastern Ukraine attended summer camps in 2007

This programme aims to improve the quality of life for children and young adults with mental and physical disabilities in eastern Ukraine.

The programme works with children up to 18 and young adults with mental and physical disabilities. The programme runs in Dnepropetrovsk, Zaparozhye, Lugansk and Donetsk and allows the children to gain a sense of normality in their lives.

The majority of the children on this programme will attend their regular schools (usually state run schools for children with disabilities) during the day before coming to the club for a few hours most evenings. Not only does this assist children and youth by hosting their programme in a building open to all and thus advancing their socialisation, but it also complements that which they might be learning in their state schools.

At the day centres, at which the children meet two-three times a week (more if necessary), children and youth/young adults meet with social workers, physiotherapists, psychologists, tutors, masseurs and speech therapists. In addition they learn about Jewish culture and traditions, take part in a weekly Kabbalat Shabbat.

Children with disabilities too severe for them to take part are provided with assistance at home. This assistance takes the form of psychology and physiotherapy. Very few children require this sort of assistance and as such, WJR is currently only supporting one child to receive home care.

The programme serves almost 300 individuals and is supported, in its entirety, by WJR.