For a week, specialists from the Vilshany Orphanage, the Social Habilitation and Rehabilitation Center "Parasolka" (Tyachiv) and the Inclusive Resource Center of the Drahovo Village Council were on a study visit to Switzerland, where they visited a number of social institutions. The trip was organized with the support of the Association "Parasolka" by the Charitable Organization "Charity Fund "Medical Aid Committee in Zakarpattya". 

At the beginning of the visit, the annual meeting of the Association "Network Switzerland – Transcarpathia / Ukraine" (NeSTU) took place, which was attended by the project coordinator of CAMZ Lesya Levko, who heads the NeSTU office in Ukraine. The meeting summarized the results of the work for 2024 and set priorities for the future. The Association has become part of a powerful humanitarian movement to support the civilian population of Ukraine affected by the war: it financially supported the initiative of the NGO "Iskra Dobra" "Food Without Borders", rehabilitation camps from the NGO "Mental Recovery", covered logistics costs during the transportation of humanitarian aid to frontline settlements, etc. 

The main part of the visit included training practices for two groups of specialists in the following areas: "Employment, work, living of adults with disabilities" and "Education and pedagogical support of children with developmental disabilities". Thus, the first group got acquainted with the specifics of the work of the Center for Living and Working for Adults with Disabilities "Buchenhof", studied the organization of living and employment of people with disabilities at the Brändi Foundation. The second group visited the Weidmatt Wolhusen orphanage with school, accommodation, and therapy, where they first learned about the institution’s clients, their daily routine, and the services provided by specialists. Then there was a master class on inpatient correctional and pedagogical early intervention, and an introduction to assistive devices that allow for alternative communication in early childhood.

At the Correctional and Training Center "Schüpfheim", local specialists engaged their Ukrainian colleagues in training, spoke about therapy, employment, education and care for children, adolescents and young people with intellectual or multiple disabilities, as well as the organization of their accommodation, etc. This experience was extremely interesting for the visitors, especially given the current topic of supported living in Ukraine. 

Among other things, the second group made a short visit to the correctional and pedagogical service of the Canton of Lucerne, where Silvia Zimmermann, a member of the Presidium of the Association "Parasolka", works. 

Summarizing the results of the training week, the members of the Ukrainian delegation noted the value of the practical component of visits to institutions, as having a direct example of the application of certain methods, the opportunity to ask questions to specialists in real time is the key to successful and prompt adoption of effective experience for the domestic social sphere.

"This trip was very important for me. I saw a lot during this week and took a lot to work with children. I learned how much can be done with ordinary material, in particular, how to use pictograms effectively for communication. We will start working with the new knowledge immediately upon our return to Ukraine", said Oksana Patskan, director of the Inclusive Resource Center of the Drahovo Village Council, a correctional psychologist.

Iryna Panchenko, a psychologist at the Center "Parasolka", emphasized the aspect of alternative communication, which helps to establish contact with children with disabilities. It was equally important to observe the interaction with parents, because continuing classes at home is an integral part of success in early intervention.

"We saw how the wishes and requests of the child are taken into account here. Classes are held in accordance with the client’s interests, and there is a trusting relationship between the staff and the children. We are building our work in the same way, but I have noted for myself that trust can be a great tool for maintaining discipline and order", emphasized Anna Kykyna, a teacher at the Vilshany Orphanage.

During the practical sessions, Ukrainian specialists not only observed the work of their colleagues in Switzerland, but also became part of the team – they worked in various workshops, were involved in supporting clients.

"I tried to remember the details of the work in the weaving workshop, especially regarding clients with complex disabilities. New forms of communication will allow even more children to be involved in creative workshops... I also photographed products, patterns, and tools, drawing inspiration to integrate as many ideas as possible into my work with children", said Ildyko Neymeti, a work adaptation instructor at the Center "Parasolka", sharing her impressions. 

The training participants noted that they would bring back to Ukraine a vision for organizing individual and group spaces for wards, as well as skills for game-based lessons that will strengthen children’s abilities and self-confidence.

According to Oksana Lukach, director of the Social Habilitation and Rehabilitation Centre "Parasolka", the latest visit to Switzerland is an opportunity not only to deepen their own experience, but also to ensure that the skills they have previously acquired are being applied correctly and that Ukrainian institutions, particularly those in Tyachiv, are successful in implementing progressive practices in the provision of social services, supported living, employment, etc. 

In turn, the Ukrainian team of specialists also received positive feedback from the training bases. Andreas Schmid, president of the Association "Parasolka" and director of the Center "Buechehof", summed up that the visit was a success, and the feedback from Ukrainian colleagues gives hope that further positive changes in their institutions are irreversible.

At the end of the trip, the Ukrainian delegation attended the annual meeting of the Association "Parasolka", where Swiss partners of the Medical Aid Committee in Zakarpattya summarized their work, which, among other things, directly concerns the activities of two social institutions in Transcarpathia. It was a touching moment when Rudi Iseli, who had long been involved in social projects for Ukraine and remains a good friend of the Committee, stepped down from the organization’s presidium. His work in the financial sector of "Parasolka" will now be carried out by Michael Roffler, who is also an active participant in the international volunteer movement in support of Ukraine. 

The Medical Aid Committee in Zakarpattya thanked its Swiss friends, their like-minded colleagues who have been part of our team for a long time, setting an example for positive changes in the social sphere, supporting and often making possible important humanitarian projects to improve the quality of life and necessary services for vulnerable groups of the population. During meetings in Switzerland, we agreed on our future plans, which have already been transformed into real actions, the results of which we will definitely report on.