The Hill: "Blogger Camp" of Rinat Akhmetov Foundation helps children to heal from war"

The Hill, Bred Dress a popular American media source, has published an article about a children's camp in the Transcarpathian region that hosts the Blogger Camp shifts of Rinat Akhmetov to Children. Peaceful Recreation for Children of Ukraine project.

Original article in English:  https://thehill.com/policy/international/4704665-ukrainian-camp-kids-heal-war/ 

Translation into Ukrainian: https://bit.ly/4eiXSxH 

The publication reminds that since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, the Russian authorities have taken more than 19,000 children to Russia, and only 388 of them have been returned.

Rehabilitating those who have been returned is still a challenge for Ukraine. This challenge has been taken up by Rinat Akhmetov Foundation, which, as The Hill notes, "It has given a lifeline to Ukrainian children, hard-hit by the war. They are given a chance to have fun, make friends, breathe freely and address any mental health challenges created by the conflict – all at no cost to them".

Oksana Ishchuk, a project manager at the Foundation, noted that the war has forced many children to move away from their normal lives, exacerbating the mental health crisis. But by attending Blogger Camp, children begin to believe in a better life and gain hope. 

"Children become more sociable and more open. Parents notice huge positive changes in their children," said Oksana Ishchuk.

The project has already helped more than 5,000 boys and girls. The Hill reports that about 50 children attend each session, which takes place four times a year. The children play games, do practical work, play sports and swim in the pool. The newspaper notes that special attention is paid to teaching children useful blogging skills. Famous Ukrainian media professionals come to the camp to talk to the children.

Children who lost their parents during the war, children from foster families and family-type orphanages, children of guardians and adoptive parents, children living in the area where active hostilities are taking place, children from the de-occupied territories and children affected by hostilities are invited to each Blogger Camp shift.

Over 18 years, more than 5 million Ukrainian children have received support under  Rinat Akhmetov to Children programme. More:  https://akhmetovfoundation.org/rinat-ahmetov-dityam