Children of Chernihiv Oblast joined the "Open Football Lessons"

03.06.2023 14:00

Photo by Choaf

Children of Chernihiv Oblast from communities that were significantly affected by the war joined the social project "Open Football Lessons" through psychosocial football activities.

These events were organized in Chernihiv at the Yunist stadium by the Ukrainian Football Association, the Chernihiv Regional Football Association and the Chernihiv community.

Photo by Choaf

The participants of the football festival were the students of Ivankiv, Anisiv and Kolychiv lyceums. Anatoliy Svystun, the regional coordinator of the project from the ХОАФ, and Tetyana Juman, the project instructor, together with Yevgeny Stolitenko, the national coordinator from the ХОФА, involved local volunteers Oleksiy Melnichenko, Rodion Tolkachov, Elena Khomenko, Nataliya Bogula, Oleksandr Prokopenko, and Bohdan Dzhuman in conducting the classes.

Photo by Choaf

It was important that "Open Soccer Lessons", in addition to actual fun soccer, also included components of psychological support and training in safe behavior in the conditions of war and its consequences - minimizing risks from explosive objects, mines, emergency situations, etc.

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.

Photo by Choaf

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

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.).