Fostering Hope in Ukraine: A Collaborative Initiative for War-Affected Children
In a remarkable collaboration aimed at addressing the urgent needs of children in war-torn Ukraine, the Swedish Postcode Lottery has pledged 20 million kronor to SOS Children's Villages through a so-called 'Dream Project.' This initiative, which is expected to last for three years, focuses on increasing the number of foster homes while also strengthening existing ones.
Svitlana Tuntueva, project manager at SOS Children's Villages, has seen firsthand the positive changes in both children and foster parents engaged in the program. "I am happy to see how the children change when they come to families and also how the parents change," she said, underscoring the transformative power of fostering in a war-impacted society.
The collaboration is particularly significant given the ongoing crisis in Ukraine, where children need a secure environment they can call home. Petra Nyberg, head of international program development at SOS Children's Villages in Sweden, pointed out that institutional care often fails to respect children's rights and can lead to a bleak future. "The aim is to save as many children as possible from a dark future of hopelessness and instead give them a new reality where they can heal the wounds of war," Nyberg stated.
Areas currently benefiting from this initiative include Kyiv, Chernihiv, Poltava, Chernivtsi, Zakarpattia, Ivano-Frankivsk, and Lviv. The project harnesses the expertise of mobile teams comprising specialists in social work, psychology, social pedagogy, and speech therapy. These professionals visit children and foster homes directly to offer tailored support and address specific needs.
Tuntueva explained the vital role these experts play: "Our specialists' task within the project is to prepare candidates for the foster home assignment, conduct information campaigns to find as many candidates as possible, and provide training sessions to discuss complex child-rearing issues that may arise when welcoming children into their homes."
Valerii and his wife, a couple who have recently undergone parenting training to become foster parents, welcomed a teenage girl into their home. They were aware of the potential challenges posed by their new family member's age but felt equipped to handle them thanks to the insights they gained during the training. Valerii noted, "We knew that adapting might be difficult, especially considering her age. But thanks to the knowledge we have gained, we have a different perspective and insight into the challenges that arise, and know how we can meet them."
Anders Årbrandt, managing director of the Postcode Lottery, emphasized the urgency of strengthening civil societies, particularly in the face of today's global challenges. "Our long-term commitment helps organizations grow, innovate, and respond to the greatest needs. The Dream Project 'On the Road to Recovery' exemplifies this approach in action," Årbrandt commented.
The Postcode Lottery has been a cornerstone of civil society support for over 20 years, distributing its entire annual surplus of over one billion kronor to 62 nonprofit organizations dedicated to improving the conditions for humans, animals, and nature.
As SOS Children's Villages continues its crucial work, the support from the Postcode Lottery appears to be a beacon of hope for children in Ukraine, ushering in a much-needed era of healing and stability.
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