Children from a village in the Lviv region give a gift to people with disabilities

On December 27, 2011, assistants at the Center for Leisure and Social Rehabilitation for People with Special Needs, which is run by Caritas of the Stryj Eparchy of the UGCC in Stryi, received from school children in the village of Drohovyzh, Lviv region, beads for making various handicrafts, which has become an integral part of this center. The school children initiated the campaign themselves. In December they saved their pocket money to give a Christmas gift to people with special needs, who attend the above mentioned center. This decision was preceded by two events that contributed to the birth of a strong friendship between the two institutions. On May 30, 2011, assistants and friends (persons with special needs) of the center, at the invitation of the administration of the Drohovyzh school, visited the school for a workshop in making of handicrafts with beads, and already on June 22 of that year the school children visited the center. According to Fr. Roman Kotsopey, pastor of the parish in Drohovyzh, further visits and exchanges are planned for the future. “I sincerely thank the students of the Drohovyzh school for such a good initiative and act of solidarity, which they showed in this gift,” said Vasyl Hushuvaty, director of Caritas of the Stryj Eparchy of the UGCC. In conclusion, the pastor gave the school a few Christmas cards made by people with special needs. Today 16 people attend the Center for Leisure and Social Rehabilitation for People with Special Needs in Stryi. The main objective of this institution is to promote the development of individual gifts and talents of people with mental disabilities, and to help better integrate them in their local community by acquiring social and living skills.  

Stryi Eparchy Press Service