In January, the NGO BUR held a forum in Mykolaiv. As a result, it was decided to support the Touch of Happiness project, which is the creation of an inclusive room for children. It will become a safe place to study and work with specialists who will help children with developmental disabilities and those who have experienced psychological trauma due to the war.
The Touch of Happiness project is being implemented with the support of the NGO Building Ukraine Together (BUR) and the International Renaissance Foundation.
What’s the problem?
“Increased stress levels have a negative impact on the psychological state of children, especially those with special needs. The lack of a sufficient number of sensory rooms with qualified specialists in Mykolaiv, particularly in the Ingul district, limits children’s access to effective remedies, which can lead to developmental delays and a deterioration in the quality of life. This problem needs to be addressed immediately,” the project organizers say.
What is the solution?
The new sensory room operates on the basis of the children’s development center “Pyramid of Knowledge” in the Ingul district. The children’s center has a team of competent specialists and more than 10 years of experience in such activities.
The space will be available for children aged 2 to 14, including those with special educational needs. Among them are children with autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, developmental delays, stuttering, anxiety, phobias and other disorders. The center will also help children who have experienced the loss of relatives, forced relocation or other difficult life situations due to the war. This also applies to residents of Mykolaiv, Mykolaiv region and IDPs.
Specialized equipment will be installed in the room to help develop sensory skills, coordination of movements and emotional stability. The list of equipment includes balancing walkways, children’s mats for training and relaxation, sensory weighted vests, special hammocks and other elements that help children calm down, relax or vice versa – stimulate their activity depending on their needs.
The project is being implemented in stages: first, the organizers will complete the search for partners and suppliers, and then purchase and install the equipment. The total cost of the equipment is 41 thousand 557 hryvnias.
The material was prepared with the support of the International Renaissance Foundation. The material represents the position of the authors and does not necessarily reflect the position of the International Renaissance Foundation.
Source: Rubric
