KinderZon - English version

Ukraine

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KinderZon

In 2006 KinderZon got acquainted with the Spoetnik Foundation. Spoetnik has got a solid reputation for many years with regard to their support to the Ukraine. They are well appreciated in the country itself as the meeting with the Presidents wife of the Ukraine during the coming visit to the Netherlands (June 2006) clearly indicates.

Together with Spoetnik we investigated the possibilities of supporting a children’s home in Glinsk (near Romny, 250 km northeast of Kiev) where children are staying who are abandoned by their parents. Reasons for this that parents had to work and could not care for the children and that some of the children are mentally disabled. Spoetnik visited this home and saw that there was a lack of basic infrastructure such as washbasins (now 4 on 150 kids), heating, toilets etc. Clearly a home where children are in a big need for help.

In 2007 KinderZon made a plan and took a positive decision to support this children's home.

Update March 2007

We have established contacts with local contactpersons. In the Ukraine we work together with Beja Kluiters-Albers and her foundation Spoetnik. Before starting the real action we need to ensure the fundraising. Last December we started our fundraising campagne with a mailing to socially engaged companies and a selected group of individuals. We are proud with the resulat from this first round, being three thousand euro for both projects together. It is a good start! We would like to thank all people who helped us with this.

Especially we would likt to thank Con Tanghe. Con recently retired at ProRail, being the Dutch Rail infrastructurecompany. For his goodbye he asked his colleagues to collect money for KinderZon and doubled the total amount himself. Greatgift with which we can make a lot of kids happy!

Update November 2007
With the support of the Spoetnik Foundation we bought 20 beds, 4 wardrobes, 100 chairs, 10 blacboards, 40 hat-racks and 2 refrigerators.

Visit May 2008

Early May mei 2008 the chairman and his daughter visited (on own cost as always at KinderZon) the home in Glinsk (near Romny).

Despite holiday time there still were quite some children because their parents could not take care of them. It was a beautiful day and many of the children were playing outside. Some of them received special 1 on 1 education because of their specific problems.

We were welcomed and a extensive tour around the premises was given. It was a big area well maintained. It appeared that the last few years, after the new director was appointed, many refurbishments were done. Sponsors had made it possible to renew roofs and for example rebuilding the kitchen with canteen.

We saw the classrooms, the dormitory, technical rooms etc. With pride they showed us the new beds, cabinets and other items we bought for them.

It was a very positive element that children do not only receive theory lessons but are also prepared to find a job. For thsi, lessons are given as sewery, carpentry and shoerepairs.

During the limited time we attended some private lessons, we saw some of the problems kids have. It is very important that there is special and individual attention for the development of these children.

Compared to other countries like in South-America the premises looked well maintained. Also compared to other homes Glinsk is an example. There is no better evidence that international small-scall support can make a difference!

Below some photo's to give you an impressions:

These ladies have taken ownership for the projects in Georgië and Ukraine. We are looking forward to the cooperation with Jolanda Poots-Bijl, Debby Jannink and Ginette Veensma.