Eco Summer Therapy Camps for Children
Every summer for 10 years Green Cross Ukraine and Green Cross Switzerland, as well as partners from Ukraine, has implemented Eco Summer Therapy Camp project within the framework of the international SOCMED program. It is aimed at rehabilitation, medical prevention, cultural, physical and spiritual development of children from low-income families in the regions of Ukraine, which are most subjected to environmental pollution not only as a result of such a massive disaster at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant (since then 24 years have passed, nevertheless disappointing statistics of diseases, particularly among children and adolescents, increases), but also because of the numerous industrial wastes on the territory of Ukraine. These regions include, inter alia, Bila Tserkva, Slavutich, Zhitomir, Pereyaslav-Khmelnitsky, Donetsk region.
Summer is the favorite time for children and adults. It is time of holidays, vacations at schools and educational institutions...
Mental and physical state of children, whether they become healthier, stronger and relaxed depends on the way their parents approach this issue, how they organize everything.
Unfortunately, disappointing statistics show that most of the Ukrainian people living below the average level and below the poverty line, unable to provide proper rest for themselves or their children. This also applies to the socially vulnerable groups in Ukraine: large families, single mothers, children from orphanages and boarding schools, children and families living in ecologically unfavorable regions of Ukraine.
This year, despite substantial increase in prices for tours, Green Cross Ukraine and Green Cross Switzerland have made every effort to organize and conduct the Eco therapy camp for 50 children from Bila Tserkva, Slavutich, Zhitomir and Pereyaslav-Khmelnitsky in Tokari sanatorium, Sumy region from July 5 till July 26, 2010. The resort itself is situated in the unique place, which has tremendous healing force: the pine forest, silence and peace, beach near Psel river, ecology and pure nature. Moreover, natural resources and the latest achievements of medicine are harmoniously combined in this amazing place.
This project was carried out in 2 stages:
Stage 1 referred to thorough clinical - laboratory and instrumental examination of children in order to identify abnormalities of somatic health and neurotic disorders.
Stage 2 was aimed to conduct individual and fundamental complex of medical procedures, including therapeutic massage, exercise therapy, inhalation, electrical treatment, thermal treatment, symptomatic medication, as well as the effect of psychical correction due to entertainment and educational activities undertaken within the framework of tourism and educational programs.
In addition, owing to the partners from Switzerland, which have attracted additional donors and found a way to raise additional funds for projects, Green Cross Ukraine in association with National Ecological and Naturalistic Centre of Ukraine and the Ministry of Education managed to implement Eco Summer Therapy Camp project and, therefore, improve health of 70 children from Donetsk, Ivano-Frankovsk and Zhytomyr regions. The camp was held from June 23, 2010 till June 6, 2010 on the basis of the National Ecological and Naturalistic Center. Participants of the camp were children from ecologically unfavorable regions of Ukraine, who have not had the opportunity to participate in the activities of such kind before, winner of national environmental and ecological-naturalistic competitions and children from poor families.
Program of the camp was very eventful:
- Conduct researches and sharing of experiences (teachers, guides)
- Visit to thematic exhibitions, cultural events and historical monuments of Kiev
- Participation of children in Intel® Way to Success program
- Carrying out methodical audio forum Culture of pedagogical management for heads of delegations
- Training for volunteers and teachers
- Conduct initial medical examination of children at V.P. Komissarenko Institute of Endocrinology and Metabolism
- Professional medical advice
- Recommendations of medical specialists
As a result, overall physical health of children has significantly improved, awareness about the environment and ecology has risen.
It would be difficult for us to organize everything themselves without support of the Ministry of Education of Ukraine and National Ecological and Naturalistic Center of Ukraine, Komissarenko Institute of Endocrinology and Metabolism.
