A very important way that FOCCUS supports the Chernobyl Centers is through our Request For Proposal Program, where FOCCUS awards a grant to each Center for a project uniquely tailored for that community.
Our relatively modest grants ($2,000 to each Center) go a very long way to help the hard working Center staff meet the needs of their villages and cities. This year, project proposals include teaching healthy lifestyles, youth leadership, career development, community participation for the elderly, and public health education.
Here is a summary of the 2010 programs that FOCCUS is proud to support:
Project: At 60, Life is Just Starting
It is a challenge for the elderly population of Slavutich to participate in community and public life. The financial and legal constraints of the government and local authorities prevent the centers from meeting the needs of this population. As a result the elderly often feel isolated and unwanted by society. This project aims to improve the emotional state of Slavutich’s elderly citizens by elevating their social relevance and improving their quality of life. The project will focus on activities to engage the elderly population with select youth populations. A calendar of activities that includes round table discussions, charity auctions, party evenings, celebrations, hobby group meetings, sports competitions and nature hikes will all be employed in this effort.
Project: Choice of a Future
Since Ukraine’s secondary education switched to a 12 year program, schools have worked hard to provide more specialized training and emphasis on career choices. In the times of a global crisis, many professions and trades have suddenly disappeared while others demand a qualified workforce. This project aims to assist high school students in determining their choice of profession by providing direct career guidance, lectures to help determine professional suitability, and individual training sessions on personal growth, leadership and communication skills. These efforts will considerably improve students’ qualifications and preparedness for entering the job market.
Project: Youth Leadership & Advocacy Training
A democracy is effective when citizens are able to influence the making and carrying out of policy. High school students, who will soon become voters, are one of the groups most isolated from the political process. This project aims to develop advocacy methods and mechanisms that encourage local officials to collaborate with youth in order to build a better future in their communities. New teams of youth representatives with leadership skills, development of outreach materials, and organized citizen actions will help develop of a civic society and foster effective local governance.
Project: Don’t Get Caught - Teaching Healthy Lifestyles to Teenagers
Healthy lifestyle is an important issue in Ukraine, especially in Chernobyl-affected areas. The number of high school and college students that engage in smoking and drinking is on the rise and Ukraine has seen an unprecedented growth in drug addiction. According to UNAIDS, the AIDS epidemic in Ukraine is the fastest growing in Eastern Europe. This bleak picture is largely due to young people’s inability to oppose those who would engage them in unhealthy practices, so this project aims to educate teens to recognize dangerous social activities and just say “no.” Round table sessions, seminars for school psychologists, comprehensive media coverage, including web coverage to extend the outreach, and sixteen individual trainings sessions for youth groups will be employed in this effort.
Project: Iodine Deficit Elimination Ensures Health and Success
In the Chernobyl-affected regions there is a natural lack of iodine in food products. Iodine deficit, especially during pregnancy and early life, leads to irreversible brain malfunction and delayed mental and physical development. This project aims to decrease the iodine deficient population by educating and encouraging people to use iodized salt. Trained volunteers and psychologists will continue educational outreach on the importance of iodized salt. Volunteers will also work with local authorities to ensure an official decree on compulsory iodized salt use by caterers, hospitals and schools, as well as ensuring the availability of iodized salt in retail settings.
If you are interested in supporting these projects, please go to our Donate page or send a check to FOCCUS, P.O. Box 5342, Madison, WI 53705.
