13 July 2012
First object, established within the framework of the corporate social programme of Metinvest “We improve our town with our own hands”, was opened in Yenakiievo. “Ostrovok” (Island) club friendly opens its door to the vulnerable children. Here little Yankiievo citizens will get a chance to improve their skills and communicate with each other.
As early as several years ago members of “Health and free way of life-XXI”, nonprofit organisation advanced an idea on creating child community, where children at risk would feel their importance for society, could diversify their skills and make their communication sphere wider. Organisation even could find a building for the club gatherings (32 Kommunisticheskaya str. 16), though its condition left much to be desired. Funds to create good conditions to make ideas fly were but scarce.
«The truth they say, that if the dream is destined to become true, fate will help, -- said Igor Lysenko, chairman of “Health and free way of life-XXI”, nonprofit organisation. – When we got know that Metinvest had launched a pilot project “We improve our town with our own hands” in Yenakiieve, we realised that this was our chance. Almost next day we prepared an application and handed it over to the programme’s coordinators. Then followed advocating project, awaiting for results from the assessment commission and, of course, the most existing moment, victory in this contest. During March-April 2012 our team was preparing building for work with its own efforts. At the same time we were searching children for our club with the help of schools. With this learning year start our “Ostrovok” can welcome its inhabitants».
Project thrust is very simple: “Ostrovok” club is going to work with children at risk (children from the streets, poor and vulnerable families, and children deprived from parental care). In “Ostrovok” children can enjoy the active free time, during which little Yenakiieve citizens can try their hands at journalism, issuing newspaper for children “Health way of life”, or acting in a theatre school. Also everyone can pass computer courses and take part in sports competitions. The great heed will be paid to social and psychological aid: issue-related meetings and trainings to be arranged. It is assumed that training will be performed on a voluntary basis.
“Health and free way of life-XXI”, nonprofit organization, used funds allocated by Metinvest to carry out complete building renovation. At four windows and a balcony, resembling black holes, new double glass panes were installed, as well as connecting and entry doors. Services lines were updated, floors completely changed and other works done. Orginisation also bought equipment required for lessons with children.
It is worth mentioning that contest, aimed at infrastructure development, launched in Yenakiieve in April 2011 and based on cooperation, so citizens themselves defined issues, proved their urgency for town and suggested their own ways out. Metinvest claimed the responsibility to fund proposals from Yenakiievo citizens in amount of UAH 50 000 for each project. Moreover, Company reserved its right to monitor projects implementation and control funds allocation. All projects must be fulfilled within a half a year since contracts signing.
In 2011 to take part in the first contest “We improve our town with our own hands” 15 applications were put in from citizen’s action groups, nonprofit organisations and municipal authorities of Yenakiievo. Eventually an expert council has chosen four projects addressing hot-button issues of the town. The winners were: “Health and free way of life-XXI”, “Clean world” nonprofit organizations, Sрort club “Zdorovye”, youth nonprofit organization, special educational need statement established on the basis of social rehabilitation general educational school of Yenakiievo (YSRGES). In February 2012 Metinvest signed contracts with the winners and allocated funds in the stated amount.
It should be noted that in 2012 the contest “We improve our town with our own hands” launched for the second time in Yenakiievo. Situation proved that for the year ground support of the idea to create the best social projects has been increased. Yenakiievo citizens took an active part in this contest and amount of put in applications has already risen twofold. Metinvest itself met Yenakiievo citizens halfway by boosting contest budget up to UAH 350 000.