"Open football lessons" - for children of Chernihiv Oblast, affected by the war

07.06.2023 09:30

Photo by Choaf

In Chernihiv Region, psychosocial football activities of the "Open Football Lessons" project for children from communities that have been significantly affected by the war are ongoing.

The organization of the football festival in Chernihiv at the "Youth" stadium was provided by the Ukrainian Football Association, the Chernihiv Regional Football Association and the Chernihiv community. This time the participants were children from Brusylov, Snovyanka, Sednev, Kiinka, Mykhailo-Kotsyubinsky, Pakul, and Trisvyatska Sloboda. Positive football-psychological support was provided by Anatoliy Svystun, the regional project coordinator from the CHOAF, Tetiana Dzhuman, the project instructor, local volunteers Oleksiy Melnychenko, Rodion Tolkachov, Olena Khomenko, Nataliya Bogulya, Oleksandr Prokopenko, Bohdan Djuman, as well as the national coordinator from the UAF, Yevgeny Stolitenko.

Photo by Choaf

It was important that "Open Soccer Lessons", in addition to actual fun soccer and psychological support, also included 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 holding soccer events, volunteers were equipped, and each participating child received a project t-shirt and participant's diploma as a gift.

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

Photo by Choaf

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;

— inclusive environment, involvement of participants regardless of ability level, gender, as well as 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 intersectoral networks (teachers, trainers, psychologists, security specialists, parents, youth leaders, local authorities, patrons, and others).