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THE DZHERELO CENTRE IN LVIV OPENS NEW WING |
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For nine years the "Dzherelo Centre" in Lviv has provided programs for children with special needs
The Children Of Chornobyl Canadian Fund is a registered charity that helps
Ukraine and Ukrainian children. They have different projects in Ukraine.
Help Us Help The Children helps orphaned children in Ukraine; and another
one - Dzherelo - helps children with cerebral palsy.
During the Christmas season and at the beginning of a new year 2003, all of
us involved in project Nadiya-Dzherelo for disabled children in Ukraine,
remember with deep gratitude our generous benefactors and sponsors in the
West. Sincere thanks to you all for your goodwill and support. Through the
years Dzherelo Centre in Lviv, Ukraine has been supported by the Children Of
Chornobyl Canadian Fund in Toronto.
Since 1993 Dzherelo Children's Rehabilitation Centre has been offering
services to children with cerebral palsy and other neurological conditions
in Lviv region in Ukraine. The mission of the Centre is to give these
children an opportunity to reach their full potential in physical function
and independence, and intellectual and social integration by using verified
methods of education and rehabilitation, training caregivers, and educating
families and the community.
Before the Dzherelo Centre began, children with cerebral palsy and other
disabilities were largely invisible in Ukraine, despite the fact that there
are 2,000 to 3,000 of these children in Lviv region alone. Few of these
children were allowed (and many still are not allowed) to go to school.
Medical care did not offer, encourage, or even consider functional
rehabilitation and specialty programs for such children and their parents.
These children therefore did not have the possibility to achieve their
potential and become integral members of society.
The parents of these children would not settle for this and so in 1993, the
"Nadiya Association of parents with children with cerebral palsy" and four
individuals - Myroslav Nykolayev, Zenia Kushpeta, Mykola Swarnyk, and Oksana
Kunanec-Swarnyk officially registered and founded Dzherelo Rehabilitation
Centre and School. The Centre attracts visitors from all over Ukraine.
Parents and professionals who have heard about the centre want to learn what
is being done there, so that perhaps they can start something for their
children in their own region. As a leading organization in this field,
Dzherelo is influencing the government in policy making and the
establishment of programs for children with special needs. Dzherelo Centre
has become a model centre, with national and international recognition, and
an essential resource for children with special needs, their parents, and
professionals.
Dzherelo Centre is committed to the treatment, education, consultation, and
counseling of children with cerebral palsy and other neurological
conditions, and their families. The process includes early referral,
assessment, and implementation of an individualized treatment plan by an
integrated team of specialized professionals. The aim of the Centre is to
facilitate optimal functioning and integration into society.
The following services and programs are provided: Programs and services are provided to children and young adults from the
ages from birth to 25 years of age by a team of doctors, physical,
occupational and speech therapists, teachers, psychologists, social workers,
students, and volunteers. Approximately one hundred children take part in
the daily programs of the centre on an ongoing basis.
Simultaneously, since 1994, a new building for the centre has been in the
process of being built. In October 2002 the new building opened its doors
with a blessing of the newly finished chapel and launch of the "Early
Intervention Program" and "Rehabilitation Youth Club". The blessing ceremony
and launch of these programs are a great source of inspiration to all and
promises to benefit more and more children with special needs by offering
the services they so desperately need.
Now, with part of the "New Building" open and providing services and its
construction, which is well on the way to completion, and the "Old Building"
continuing to provide services, we are faced with an acute lack of funding
to carry on the activities. Operational expenses are rising due to
additional programs and services. A concerted effort is being made to obtain
financial support from the city budget, and we are confident that some
support will be obtained. There is a great possibility that the Centre will
be forced to limit services and programs in January 2003. However, we are
determined and will not stop in our efforts to help these children. The need
is enormous. We cannot succeed without your help.
On behalf of parents of the children who require assistance to learn, to
walk, to talk and whose only wish is to be able to play and enjoy life, like
all children, we appeal to you for you support. For nine years the "Dzherelo
Centre" in Lviv has provided programs for children with special needs with
support from many generous people. Thank you for your support through the
Children Of Chornobyl Canadian Fund. |
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