"Open football lessons" in Zhytomyr Oblast began with Lubar

25.05.2023 11:00

Photo by ZHOAF

Psychosocial football activities of the Ukrainian Football Association with the aim of organizing communication between children of IDPs, children of military personnel of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and children affected by the war, continued in Zhytomyr Oblast. Here, "Open Football Lessons" was hosted by Lubar, and the local community and the Zhytomyr Regional Football Association organized the football event.

The football festival was opened by Anatoliy Bilenky, secretary of the Lubar settlement council, Ruslan Pavlyuk, head of the Zhytomyr regional football association, Yevgeny Stolitenko, the national coordinator of the UAF project, and Ruslan Majevsky, the regional coordinator.

Photo by ZHOAF

The leader of the local volunteers was Olena Severyn, head of the youth and sports sector of the Lubar settlement council. The event resembled an interesting quest where the children visited different locations. In particular, these were:

— security platform (under the leadership of the representative of the local division of the State Emergency Service V. Tsapka);

— site "Acquaintance" (Yu. Melnyk);

— "Development" site (R. Sushitskyi);

— "Technique" playground (M. Linevych);

— psychologist's playground (H. Koshelyuk);

— training ground (V. Bilenky).

Photo by ZHOAF

Local schools received a large amount of sports equipment and balls for football events, volunteers were equipped, and each child who participated in the football festival received a project t-shirt and a participant's diploma as a gift.

All project activities are carried out in the regions in agreement with the regional military administrations.

Photo by ZHOAF

The Ukrainian Football Association, with the support of Common Goal and the Association of Cross-Cultural Projects (Denmark), continues the "Open Football Lessons" project, which includes:

— psychosocial support for children of IDPs, children of military personnel of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, children affected by war;

— unification and friendship of IDP children with local children, social integration;

— an inclusive environment, participants regardless of ability level, gender, as well as the participation of children with special educational needs;

— knowledge of security in conditions of war;

— the philosophy of mass football — the joy of the game instead of the result at any cost;

— education of a healthy lifestyle;

— development of volunteering;

— activation of local communities through cross-sectoral networks (teachers, trainers, psychologists, security specialists, parents, youth leaders, local authorities, patrons, etc.).