Kyiv, 26 May, 2010: "Sure Start: care leavers integration programme (2010-2013)" - a new Ukrainian-Swiss project set up by Partnership for EveryChild, Swiss Branch of International Social Services with partner Kyiv Oblast State Administration will help to develop a model of social adaptation and professional integration for independent living for children in out-of-home care in Ukraine. The project will help young people get access to social support, occupation, to find a job, to solve the problem of housing.
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| Participants of the press-conference |
At the project official presentation in Kyiv Oblast State administration it was highlighted that Ukraine occupies one of the leading places in Europe by a number of children in residential care - 29 thousands.
Most of them - are children of senior school age, who have few chances to be adopted or placed into family care. After leaving care the majority of them are usually referred to the so-called "orphan" vocational schools - schools that have adequate facilities, which can provide full state maintenance. While children study the state continue to support them financially, but when they become adults - funding stops.
Internats are not legally responsible for children after they leave care, other organizational structures operate inefficiently. Let down by the system and without family, care leavers are expected to cope with independence too early and with too little support.
Alarming statistic of Ministry of Family, Youth and Sports shows that after leaving care 20% of care-leavers from institutions in Ukraine are unable to find a job, or obtain a profession, 41% of care-leavers have no perspective in solving of housing problems, 28 % of care-leavers are engaged in criminal activities.
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"Many young people experience poverty and joblessness after leaving care, because there was no-one to give them the help they needed, - admitted Volodymyr Kuz'minskyy Head of Board of "Partnership for Every Child" during official launch of the project.
"With the Soviet break-up, orphanages were left in a vacuum. The children from institutions are often underdeveloped intellectually and socially, and are left with little hope of advancement of private sector employment after they leave", - he explained.
"It is all too easy for them to fall prey to a circle of crime, drugs, prostitution and prison. The hopelessness faced by the graduates of children's institutions promises a vicious circle for the future of crime, drugs, alcohol, HIV and yet more orphans".
Rolf Widmer, Director of Swiss Foundation of the International Social Service noted that the main task of the project is to create opportunities for Ukrainian care-leavers to fulfil theirbasic human rights. He stressed that according to the ISS, the majority of women engaged in sex industry, are graduates of residential institutions, and this applies to several European countries, including Ukraine and Russia.
The proposed provision of timely help to develop life skills and employability for these children raises their chances to have successful lives.
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| Guests |
Selecting Kyiv Oblast as a pilot region, this project will reach 800 orphans and children deprived of parental care, including care leavers from residential institutions; youth from foster families, family-based children's homes and children under guardianship during three years.
It aims explicitly to make a visible impact on a specific area of Kyiv region and to provide a gateway to more permanent support services at national level.
Project innovations include development of mentoring system and creation of living space for care leavers. Ordinary flats will be used as the living space to prepare care leavers for independent life. These facilities will be organized to address the needs of the young people, in areas that are close to a family, work, studies and community.
Mrs. Tolstoukhova, Deputy Minister of Family, Youth and Sports stressed that the issue of aftercare support is very important. "The opportunities and support that this programme will provide in Kyiv Oblast will make a real impact to care leavers and will become another step in the right direction for improving the life chances of children and young people in the care system," - the Deputy Minister Tolstoukhova concluded.
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Anya, care leaver and Oksana - her mentor |
Contacts:
Partnership for Every Child
Vasylyna Dybaylo vd@everychild.org.ua
Oksana Shved os@everychild.org.ua
t.: 044 359 02 10
Pictures from the launch:
