Charity project “Become a volunteer – become a friend” in Mukachevo ended with festival (PHOTOS)

In the yard of the Regional center of social and psychological rehabilitation of children and young people with functional limitations a festival in honor of the first phase of the "friendly project" completion took place.

Since last August around a hundred activists have come to the rehabilitation center – mostly students – to help kids, become their true friends. Such pairs of friends were going out onto the stage arm-in-arm. During their intercourse they were talking about personal things, spent much time together, attending sport and artistic events. "For children with disabilities it is important to feel not only that they get something, but also that they themselves can teach a friend volunteer something new. For them it is a boundless joy and self-assertion, but at the same time – a great opportunity to integrate into society, fostering a sense of dignity and worth of their life", – said the center’s director, Marina Dashik.

Among the honored guests were the leaders of local charitable organizations, the heads of educational institutions and private entrepreneurs, who joined the project. Nikolai Trofimenko, the head of the Family and Youth Affairs State Administration, said that voluntary movement in Ukraine is developing and wished more such centres to appear throughout the area. By the way, with the help of the centre’s partners they managed to create a network of units, particularly in Mukachevo State University. In his welcoming speech the deputy mayor Igor Radysh on behalf of Mukachevo authorities also thanked for such a hard work. "This is an example of what the attitude of people towards each other should look like," – said the official. The volunteers were invited to the microphone to tell about their new experience, which changed their worldview. After the speeches and congratulations of center’s friends, the children were entertained by clowns, Pupils House dancing groups and dancers of one of the city fitness clubs.

Philanthropists are hoping that the second phase of the project will take place here on the premises of the regional center of social and psychological rehabilitation of children and young people with functional limitations.