In Drohobych, children from the local and IDP communities together developed leadership skills and learned to achieve team results

On October 10, 2017, Drohobych hosted a training for children of internally displaced persons and children from the host community to develop social and communicative skills aimed at creativity, leadership and cooperation. The event was organised by the NGO East European Cooperation (Republic of Lithuania) in partnership with the NGO Areket (Drohobych).

The purpose of the event was to help children who experienced a loss of the familiar environment, to open up their sincerity, and to help them apply their skills of non-verbal communication. Therefore, children from Crimean Tatar families, children from the East of Ukraine and kids from local families were invited to participate. The event was attended by 14 schoolchildren aged 8 to 11 years.

The workshop using a set of art techniques, including drawing, modelling, and elements of collage, was conducted by a practicing psychologist, coach Lidiya Koval. “Children from traditional Crimean Tatar families, from the East and local children supplement, see and support each other very well. In groups, there are always hyperactive children and those who keep a low profile. But the children who at first glance seemed quiet and invisible, carried out their internal work. They hit the spot in terms of reflections, followed the lead, mirrored, and shared their emotions. This cooperation is very constructive,” said Lidiya Koval.

The workshop for children was the final event of the 2017 project. “Children from families who moved from Crimea and Eastern Ukraine, especially from Muslim communities, often have mistrust of the new society, fear of being unpopular, and so on. Improvement of communicative skills and ability to approve themselves in creative teamwork helps children to build relationships with society, demonstrate their abilities, and creativity. As a result, it increases their overall social activity. This facilitates integration into local communities for both the children, but their parents alike. Therefore, we highly appreciate the results of the workshop – children of different nationalities and cultures – some of whom had never met before – found a common language and gained interesting experience of communication in order to achieve a common result. I think that the experience gained will be useful to them in everyday life,” summarised Beatrice Biliavciv, Director of the EEC.

Note:

The project “Self–Employment and Social Activity are the Guarantees of the Success of Integration and Social Involvement of IDPs from Eastern Ukraine and Crimean Tatar Communities” is aimed at facilitating successful integration of immigrants into the local communities of Ukraine and social adaptation of vulnerable groups.

The project is implemented by the NGO “East European Cooperation” (Republic of Lithuania).

The project is funded by the Development Cooperation and Democracy Promotion Programme of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania.