For the third year in a row, children from the Kharkiv region who live in family-type children\u2019s homes went on a summer holiday to Austria. This time, four families spent three weeks in the city of Graz. For the children, it was not only a change of environment but also rehabilitation after difficult life circumstances, since most of them had lost their biological parents. They were accompanied by psychologists Iryna Vodomerova and Iryna Pushai.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The children and their foster mothers lived in two places \u2014 the Mosaik social center and a student dormitory. At first, this caused some competition between the groups, as the children compared conditions. However, soon they became friends, visited each other, and played together. \u201cFrom the very beginning, I reminded the children that we were one group,\u201d recalls Iryna Pushai. \u201cWe started to take them to visit each other, organized games, and by the end of the trip they had become friends.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On the very first evening, a barbecue was waiting for them. Mr. Charly (Karl Brunner, head of the boarding school department of Mosaik) together with his wife and son prepared sausages, while Mrs. Ursula (a constant sponsor of activities for Ukrainian children) helped organize a warm welcome. The children received soap bubbles and made an improvised circle, launching them one by one. This was the beginning of their friendly relationship with the Austrian community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The greatest joy was the swimming pools. Organizers showed three options, and the children themselves chose the one with the most slides and attractions. On cooler days they went to an indoor pool, and on warm days they swam until they were exhausted. For some, it was the first time in their lives. \u201cWe had a boy, Denys, who was afraid of both cold water and swimming itself,\u201d recalls Iryna Vodomerova. \u201cWe gradually helped him overcome his fear, and by the end he was swimming without armbands and even jumping into the water. It was a real achievement.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The trip\u2019s program was designed so that the children would not get too tired. Only one big activity per day: if it was an excursion, then only that; if swimming, then only swimming. This gave them the chance to enjoy the experience and discuss it with friends. During their stay, the families visited a chocolate factory where they tasted different varieties of chocolate, a petting zoo, and a rope park. They also went to a dinosaur park, where the children made plaster figures, went through rope courses, and received a special surprise backpack from an Austrian family that prepares gifts every year for children from Ukraine. At the science museum, the children tried themselves as doctors, car mechanics, and astronomers. \u201cI was impressed by Mykola, who built his own airplane,\u201d says Iryna Pushai.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
No less exciting was a trip to the Alps in a roofless convertible bus. The children took lifts to the mountain peaks, photographed the landscapes, and rode sleds. At first, they were scared, but later they enthusiastically discussed how they overcame the challenges. A rafting trip on the Mur River added even more emotions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A special moment was Maksym\u2019s birthday: with cake, candles, fun games, and gifts. \u201cWe rewrote the scenario twice because of the rain and sun,\u201d recalls Iryna Vodomerova. \u201cBut the celebration was a success, the birthday boy was happy, and the children felt that even far from home you can have a real birthday.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Another story of this summer was the photo sessions. A boy named Artur showed an impressive talent for photography. He created ideas, chose backgrounds, and gave advice on how to pose. The girls and other boys turned into models, and those who were shy about being photographed overcame their insecurity thanks to the group\u2019s enthusiasm. \u201cThese were real sessions of photo therapy, which you cannot buy for any money,\u201d shares Iryna Pushai.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Ukrainian children brought handmade souvenirs to Austria \u2014 bracelets, knitted toys, embroidered napkins. In return, Austrian friends gave them medallions, backpacks, and sweets. But the most valuable gifts were not material things, but experiences and feelings: in three weeks in Graz, the children overcame their fears, gained new knowledge, made friends, and discovered that the world can be kind and welcoming. Some even experienced their first love \u2014 but that remains a little secret among the teenagers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After the trip, the children shared their impressions. \u201cI liked the chocolate factory, the Dino park, and the city walk the most,\u201d said 13-year-old Anton. \u201cI liked rock climbing, the swimming pool, the musicians, and the Karma club,\u201d wrote 12-year-old Tymur. \u201cThe holiday left a lot of good memories and impressions,\u201d noted 12-year-old Artur. \u201cI became more cheerful and determined,\u201d admitted 17-year-old Anna. \u201cI really dreamed of going abroad, and thanks to you my dream came true,\u201d shared 14-year-old Kateryna.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the rest of their lives, the children will keep in their hearts the memories of their happy Austrian holidays.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
For the third year in a row, children from the Kharkiv region who live in family-type children\u2019s homes went on a summer holiday to Austria. This time, four families spent three weeks in the city of Graz. For the children, it was not only a change of environment but also rehabilitation after difficult life circumstances, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":2283,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[33,38,32],"class_list":["post-2264","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-33","tag-38","tag-32"],"translation":{"provider":"WPGlobus","version":"3.0.5","language":"en","enabled_languages":["uk","en","de"],"languages":{"uk":{"title":true,"content":true,"excerpt":false},"en":{"title":true,"content":true,"excerpt":false},"de":{"title":true,"content":true,"excerpt":false}}},"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t