NGO Girls

😍 Specialists of the “Girls. Children” clubs continue to introduce preschoolers to the origami technique. 🗒️ Origami is a kind of Japanese art that includes folding paper into various shapes without using scissors or glue. This activity helps to develop the following skills and abilities: ▪ hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills ▪ improving memory and spatial thinking ▪ development of concentration and determination, ▪ improvement of self-esteem. 🥰 During creative activities, a sheet of paper turns into a small craft, where every movement and fold is important. Children created figures of a crane, apple and other objects with their own hands, showing their creativity and imagination. The work of the clubs is carried out as part of the project to support children ‘Providing Multi-Sectoral Humanitarian Assistance to Conflict-Affected Populations in Ukraine’. The project is made possible with the financial support of USAID's Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA) and World Vision. #УкраїнськийКонсорціумРеагування #UkraineResponseConsortium World Vision Ukraine Crisis Response 

Dr Yuliya Sporysh, director of the NGO Girls, is taking part in the two-day Forum on the 140th anniversary of the Ukrainian women's movement "The Women's Movement Acts in All Women..." in Kyiv. Ukrainian women have always been active and stood up for their beliefs, both in the past and today. But for a long period of time, they were not sufficiently visible and heard. This Forum is a tribute to the women who came before us, who founded and developed Ukrainian feminism. After all, modern activism is based on the principles laid down by the women's movement that started 140 years ago. The Forum was opened by Natalia Karbovska, Director of Strategic Development at the Ukrainian Women's Fund; Kateryna Levchenko, Government Commissioner for Gender Equality Policy; Uliana Tokareva, Deputy Minister of Social Policy. The first thematic panel “Age of Awakening: The Women's Movement of Ukraine in Historical Retrospect” has already taken place, with speakers including Alla Shvets, Deputy Head of the Ukrainian National Women's League; Oksana Kis, President of the Ukrainian Association of Women's History Researchers (UAWHR); Olha Nikolaienko, UAWHR member; Hanna Bohdan, Honorary Head of the Kosiv Department of the Ukrainian National Women's League; and Tetiana Shvydchenko. Among the most important outcomes of the forum was the announcement of the creation of the Day of the Ukrainian Women's Movement on 8 December. The President has already supported this proposal, and the government's approval is now awaited. If you want to talk and have ideas for cooperation, look for Yuliya Sporysh at the Forum "The Women's Movement Acts in All Women..." on 20-21 August.

Dr Yuliya Sporysh, director of the NGO Girls, attended a panel discussion dedicated to the World Humanitarian Day. World Humanitarian Day aims to raise awareness of the importance of the humanitarian sector and create a safe environment for its workers. Despite 75 years of international humanitarian law, 2023 was the deadliest year ever for aid workers. The UN and its partners will carry out campaign #ActForHumanity which aims to improve the protection of humanitarian workers. It was within the framework of this campaign that a panel discussion was held on 19 August about the difficulties of working in modern conditions, losses, and humanity in the humanitarian sector. Participants of the discussion included Matthias Schmale, Humanitarian Coordinator in Ukraine; Iryna Vereshchuk, Minister for Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territories of Ukraine; Joanna Garbalinska, Director of the NGO Platform in Ukraine; Mila Leonova, director Alliance UA CSO; Yevhen Koliada, Head of the Relief Coordination Centre (RCC).

Dr Yuliya Sporysh took part in the opening of the photo exhibition "Humanity in Action". In her speech, she drew attention to the role of women in humanitarian response, localization, and the opportunity to learn from partners. The speakers at the opening ceremony were Deputy Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights, Anna Duda, Ukraine Country Director in People in Need, and Oleksandra Buglak, Deputy Director of the NGO Platform. This exhibition is dedicated to World Humanitarian Day. In this exhibition, Ukrainian civil society organizations want to recognize the humanity and dedication of those who work every day to save others. They also want to honor the memory of their colleagues who died while providing vital support. According to statistics, in 2023, 16 humanitarian workers were killed and 44 were injured. Today, the issue of mutual aid is more important than ever for Ukraine. Non-governmental organizations provide a wide range of support to those in need. However, behind every action, there are people. The exhibition aims to show the human and sincere emotional side of their work. After all, even in the darkest times there is light - it is in humanity’s kindness. The photo exhibition will run until August 25 at Mykhailivska Square (on the pedestrian path leading to the funicular). We invite everyone to visit it. #actforhumanity #strongertogether #humanitariansofukraine #ukrainehumanitarians #humanitariansstandwithUkraine #humanitarianssupportukrainiansinneed

19 August is World Humanitarian Day. It is an international day dedicated to recognising humanitarian workers and those who have died working for humanitarian aid. Swipe through the carousel posts and read some facts about the work of the humanitarian sector. On the occasion of this day, we have prepared a release "World Humanitarian Day: 67 humanitarian organisations pay tribute to fallen colleagues and remain committed to helping Ukrainians in need". You can read it by following the link 👇 https://lnkd.in/dKyzUqnv We also invite everyone to the photo exhibition "Humanity in Action", the official opening of which is taking place on 18 August at 11:00 a.m. on Mykhailivska Square (on the pedestrian path leading to the funicular). The exhibition will run for a week until 25 August. #actforhumanity #strongertogether #humanitariansofukraine #ukrainehumanitarians #humanitariansstandwithUkraine #humanitarianssupportukrainiansinneed

😍 In the "Girls. Children" clubs, specialists regularly conduct calligraphy classes. ✍️ Calligraphy is the art of beautiful writing that combines precision, harmony and creativity. 👍🏻The benefits of calligraphy: ✔ development of fine motor skills; ✔ increasing concentration; ✔ formation of aesthetic taste; ✔ stress reduction; ✔ prevention of dysgraphia; ✔ optimization of breathing and spiritual balance; ✔ strengthening self-confidence. 🌟 Classes in our clubs are a great opportunity to develop your skills in a favorable atmosphere. During such activities, children learn the correct spelling of letters and at the same time perform exercises aimed at developing phonemic awareness and improving spelling skills. The work of the clubs is carried out as part of the project to support children ‘Providing Multi-Sectoral Humanitarian Assistance to Conflict-Affected Populations in Ukraine’. The project is made possible with the financial support of USAID's Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA) and World Vision. #УкраїнськийКонсорціумРеагування #UkraineResponseConsortium World Vision Ukraine Crisis Response

😍 The "Girls. Children" club held a master class for children where they learned to weave a mandala amulet. This ancient practice, which comes from the cultures of different nations, combines both aesthetic and spiritual meaning. 🧵 Weaving a mandala is the process of creating a symbolic amulet from threads in the shape of a circle. This technique not only promotes the development of motor skills and creative thinking but also helps children to calm down, plunge into a meditative state, and feel harmony and balance. 🍀 Such activities combine creative development with elements of art therapy. Children learn new techniques, and master self-regulation skills, which is important for their emotional well-being. 🥰 The visitors of the master class had a great time, plunging into the process of creating their own mandalas. The atmosphere was filled with joy and support, which created favorable conditions for creativity and communication. The clubs operate within the framework of the project to support children ‘Providing Multi-Sectoral Humanitarian Assistance to Conflict-Affected Populations in Ukraine’. The project is made possible with the financial support of USAID's Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA) and World Vision. #УкраїнськийКонсорціумРеагування #UkraineResponseConsortium World Vision Ukraine Crisis Response

Nina Mykolaiivna and Mykola Mykolaiiovych lived together for 60 years in the village of Bohdanivka, Kherson region. Together they survived the difficult period of military occupation.    Nina Mykolaiivna turned to the mobile team of the NGO Girls suffering from psychological burnout, which was accompanied by loss of energy, numbness, a sense of powerlessness and loss of interest in life in general. Now, the support of her family and community helps Nina Mykolaiivna find the strength to overcome difficulties and has become an important incentive for self-development: a thorough awareness of her own feelings and reactions helps her understand how events have affected her and what steps can be taken to overcome this condition, to realize difficult experiences and restore her emotional health.    For many elderly people, seeking psychological help can be difficult for various reasons, but Nina Mykolayivna took this important step to improve her quality of life and well-being. At present, the mobile team of the NGO Girls is also actively helping Mykola Mykolaiiovych undergo eye treatment. This help is not only aimed at restoring his eyesight, but also has a deep emotional meaning - so that he can see his wife Ninochka again, who has become an inexhaustible source of strength and hope for him.   The experience of Nina Mykolaiivna and Mykola Mykolaiiovych demonstrates the importance of support in difficult times, especially for vulnerable groups.    NGO Girls offers free access to qualified psychological support.    Read the full story 👇 https://lnkd.in/dyXQ-UWU   The project “Lifesaving shelter, MPCA, SRH and protection assistance for conflict-affected communities in rural hromadas in Mykolaiv and Kherson regions” is implemented by the NGO Girls in cooperation with the international humanitarian organization CARE, supported by the Ukraine Humanitarian Fund.   #CAREUkraine #UHF #UkraineHumanitarianFund #CBPFs #InvestInHumanity

The NGO Girls and Tania Khodakivska, the director of the film “The Blue Sweater with a Yellow Hole”, developed a practical toolkit “Hearing Them Out: a Trauma-Sensitive Approach to Interviewing Children and More”. The goal of this guide is to ensure the children’s best interests are the top priority for anyone researching this issue, namely, journalists, activists, prosecutors, and lawyers. The guide provides practical advice on how to prepare for interviews, how to behave during the interview and deal with traumatic and sensitive topics, and how to process the information received. It also contains practical exercises that can help relieve stress if a child or an interviewer feels anxious during the interview. The guide is available on the NGO Girls’ webpage at  https://lnkd.in/dRTrgdzQ The guide was developed as a part of the “Giving a Voice to Ukrainian Children Returned from Forced Deportation from Russia” project with the support of terre des hommes Deutschland e.V. Illustrations were made by Alevtina Kakhidze from the sketches for the documentary-animation film “The Blue Sweater with a Yellow Hole” directed by Tetiana Khodakivska and produced by Pronto Film. The film tells the stories of Ukrainian children deported to Russia or Russian-controlled territories and their unlawful detention in so-called “re-education camps”. Before documenting the children’s stories, the research team underwent training in trauma-sensitive interviewing.

Iryna, the wife of a military officer who is now raising two children on her own – a 4-year-old daughter and a 12-year-old teenage son, addressed the Specialists of the "Girls. Children" Club.   Iryna and her daughter have been attending classes for six months and saw noticeable changes in their psychological state: the girl needed a special approach to education.   Iryna noticed that the employees of the Club demonstrated a high level of professionalism – the teachers drew attention to the fact that Ksyusha is very fond of music – this is how the specialists quickly found an approach to the child, although she was afraid of adults.   After six months of classes, Ksenia began to express her thoughts and feelings more freely, which indicates an improvement in her communication skills, increased cognitive activity, and the ability to think independently.   Also, the girl began to run actively, push off with her leg on the scooter on her own, and jump on a hard surface. All these changes indicate that classes in the club not only contribute to the psychological and social development of Ksyusha, but also have a positive effect on her physical health and general condition.   Through therapy with a psychologist, Iryna realized how important it is to focus on self-development and health in order to be a strong support for her children: both for her daughter, who needs attention and for her teenage son, who misses his father no less. “Girls. Children” Club in the city of Dnipro provides a comprehensive approach to psychological support for military families that is extremely important in ensuring their mental health and stability during difficult times.   Read full story 👇 https://lnkd.in/dH8hbZGp   The clubs operate within the framework of the project to support children ‘Providing Multi-Sectoral Humanitarian Assistance to Conflict-Affected Populations in Ukraine’. The project is made possible with the financial support of USAID's Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA) and World Vision. #UkraineResponseConsortium World Vision Ukraine Crisis Response