Join the #HugAChild Flash Mob
To bring happiness to as many children as possible and remind adults of how much love, care, nourishment and hugs matter to kids, Rinat Akhmetov Foundation’s “Say No to Orphanhood!” programme rolls out the #HugAChild social flash mob on Facebook.
Child psychologists claim that the most important factors of a child’s happiness and adequate development are her parent’s love, their care and affectionate hugs. A baby arrives in this world helpless, and without parental love, she is merely surviving rather than living a life. Babies are born with underdeveloped sight and hearing, so the only way for them to receive information from the world around them is through tactile sensations. A parental hug is the ultimate way for a baby to grow confident that she is loved and safe. She learns to trust the world and feels comfortable, so this makes her happy.
“Unfortunately, many kids are deprived of such simple source of joy as mum and dad’s hugs. In Ukraine alone, over 100,000 kids are being raised at residential institutions. For that reason, over eight years ago, Rinat Akhmetov Foundation established the “Say No to Orphanhood!” national adoption portal. We did this to help orphans find families and get a chance for a happy childhood,” says Natalia Baryshpolskaya, head of the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation’s programme. “But often even children who are growing up in families feel unhappy, because they are lacking attention, tenderness and care from their caregivers. So we encourage parents to give their time, love and hugs to their children. To give children happiness, for they deserve it.”
The #HugAChild social flash mob is not limited in time, as children need to be hugged every day. They long for attention on a daily basis. It is crucial that every day of their life parents talk to them, praise them, kiss and hug them. Share your wonderful photos and multiply the positive vibes.
How to join the flash mob:
- Hug your child or several children.
- Take a photo of the hugs and post to your page on Facebook with the #ОбнимиРебенка #ОбіймиДитину #HugАChild hashtags.
- Invite your friends and people you know from all over the world to take part in the flash mob. Pass the baton to at least five friends.
Our goal is to raise a minimum of a million hugs, for children are truly worth it!
Let us also remind that the database of the “Say No to Orphanhood!” portal currently contains 5,297 profiles of girls and boys who have no one to hug them and who are eagerly looking forward to meeting their loving family. They are waiting for a mum and dad who will soothe them, hug them and give them happiness and love.
