The first meetings of mentors with children from Sviatohirsk
This week Sviatohirsk centre for social rehabilitation of orphaned children called 'Emerald City' hosted the first meeting of the 'mentor-child' pairs. The meeting was organized by Rinat Akhmetov Foundation as part of "Mentorship" project.
"There are internally displaced children staying in Sviatohirsk orphanage. From Avdiivka, Torez and Marinka. The kids are traumatized not only by losing their families, but also by war. That's why mentors will have some difficult work to do. But the project team will help them to build the most trusting and effective relations with children", – Kateryna Stepanina, Coordinator of "Mentorship" project in Sviatohirsk, explains.
The first meeting of children and mentors took place in the boarding school with participation of administration and the project psychologist. The mentors of Sviatohirsk children became DTEK and FUIB employees. They were selected for girls of 12-15 years old.
"Acquaintance of Sviatohirsk children with their mentors went very well. Children gave a tour of the orphanage, introduced mentors to their teachers and school principal. And most important – they agreed about the next meeting" – Viktoriia Chahalian, Manager of "Mentorship" project, shares.
Rinat Akhmetov Foundation continues preparing mentors as part of the project. There are group trainings and individual consultations held for them. As of today, there are six "mentor-child" pairs formed. 41 other mentors went through all selection stages and await the first meeting with their foster children.
"Mentorship" project of Rinat Akhmetov Foundation was launched in 2016. The main goal is to help an orphaned child to be prepared for independent life that starts after leaving an orphanage. Development of a child's potential, determination of life goals, formation of human relations, cultural and moral values with the assistance of mentor – an adult with life experience who volunteered to teach a child.
