International Social and Medical Care Program (SOCMED) in Ukraine
The SOCMED program has been implementing in Ukraine since 2000, and theretofore it has been successfully carried out in the Zhytomyr region, Pereyaslav-Khmelnitsky and Bila Tserkva areas, in Slavutych and in Donetsk region, mainly in Gorlovka.
We are about to expand the SOCMED program and integrate it in Chernigov and Cherkassy regions. Due to outreach activityof the program, namelyenhancement of medical module, we will manage to conduct medical examinations of children and provide guidance to parents on prevention measures and treatment of their children. Development of the program is essential based on the numerous appeals of the district administration, medical facilities and most residents of Chernigov and Cherkassy regions. We believe that joint activity and cooperation with public institutions, administration, social services, medical facilities, and civil society will focus on achieving the best results and facilitate rendering assistance to the population in need.
Cooperation and partnership with our colleagues and partners last in the regions of Ukraine, where the Green Cross of Ukraine (GCU) implements its activity within the International SOCMED Program. The working visits took place on 25.12.2013, 28.12.2013, 24.01.14, 29.01.2014, 03.02.2014, 04.02.2014.
As part of the international SOCMED program and within the development of social cooperatives on December 25th, 2013 there was field trip toBila Tserkva area, in the village of Pylypychi aimed at visiting the family of Nathalia Gurska. The mother and her husband Oleg have two children, Denis and Ksenia. The daughter is 17 years old and shestudies in thetechnological and economic college of Bila Tserkva National Agrarian Universityand dreams of entering a university thanks to the state security, because the family will not be able to pay for her tuition. Green Cross (GCU) began implementing its activity in this new village in 2013 and the community is keen to build cooperation with Green Cross Ukraine (GCU). The family of Nathalia Gurska received assistance in organizationof anown mini rabbit farm. The whole family is grateful for this aid and it is about to develop the farming. "Unfortunately, we cannot sell the meat and make a profit, but my family now eat rabbit meat, which is very useful and dietic", said Nathalia at the meeting. Her daughter Ksenia helps mothers to take care of rabbits and she believesthat they will manage to development their family business. When meeting us Ksenia offered her help as a volunteer to be involved in the summer ecologicaltherapy camps that are traditionally held by Green Cross Ukraine (GCU) within 14 years for children living in the 3rd and 4th Chernobyl zones and ecologically unfavorable regions of Ukraine. We were touched by this offer and gladly agreed because Ksenia has already had experience of work as a volunteer in the camps and also needs rehabilitation and treatment. We believe that Ksenia can also improve her health along with children in a therapy camp in the summer. The family lives in the 4th contaminated zone and has a certificate of affected after the Chernobyl accident. The mother has the only dream to give a chance for her children to obtain quality education and employment.
Alsoon December 28, 2013 the team of Green Cross Ukraine (GCU) visited the village of Pakulin Chernihiv region and met the family of Oksana Stepanova. Our coordinator Elena Germanovich and LarissaYakubets, whois a member of Mother and Child clubtaking part in projects of Green Cross Ukraine (GCU) for a longtime, introducedus Oksana Stepanova. Oksana brings alone four sons. They livein a private house. Oksana is very grateful for the assistance given to her addressed to develop a mini rabbit farm of Green Cross Ukraine (GCU). Oksana also became a member of Mother and Childclubbecause she and her family require help. Oksana hopes that her children will have the opportunity to participate in summer ecological camp, carried out by Green Cross Ukraine (GCU) in the Transcarpathian region.
Dmitriy Sapiga
Technical and information support, Green Cross Ukraine (GCU)
