Uzhgorod children received New Year’s gifts, but there is one “but”…

Recently, rumors have been spreading in the city that this year Uzhgorod children did not receive gifts, because the relevant authorities did not allocate money for that. Parents complain that for the first time their children did not receive gifts in educational institutions. To clarify the situation, uzhgorod.in contacted the head of Uzhgorod Department of Education Oksana Babunych and the head of Uzhgorod Department of Labour and Social Welfare Andriana Sushko, who gave their comments.

"The Labor and Social Welfare Department has allocated funds in the same amount as the previous year, so all the socially unprotected children received Christmas gifts in full. Specifically, children with disabilities, children of Chernobyl aftermath liquidators, Afghanistan Veterans, children who are under the care and children from large families. The Department also allocated funds for gift purchase to NGOs "Way of Life" and "New family" that take care of socially vulnerable children" – Adriana Sushko said.

Also in the course of the conversation, it was announced that through the efforts of the regional office of the State Emergencies Service, gifts for children of IDPs were provided. 

But at the Department of Education, things are not as rosy. Indeed they did not allocate the money.  Oksana Babunych said, "Yes, we have not allocated funds for gifts because we simply had no where to take it from. Usually, money for gifts are taken from the food fund, but this year this was not possible, because the budget for food was based on last year figures, and since the first of September, the number of students has increased by 432 children. And food is constantly becoming more expensive… But despite that, children received gifts thanks to members of the city council." However, they did not tell where the deputies get the funds and how many children received gifts. Meanwhile, it is suspected that ot all children received gifts…