Mobile playgrounds for children
“Mobile Playgrounds” bring joy and support to Ukraine: Malteser International deploys specially equipped buses in three regions in western Ukraine, stopping at schools, kindergartens, emergency shelters, orphanages and other public places. These “Mobile Playgrounds” are equipped with play and support materials and offer age-appropriate, playful psychosocial support. The aim of the project is to create spaces where children can share their emotions through play and interaction in a safe and relaxed atmosphere. In a playful way, they also learn to express their feelings and acquire self-help techniques to stabilize their mental state. Special attention is paid to the integration of children with disabilities and displaced children from other parts of Ukraine.
Since February 24, 2022, 6.5 million people have fled Ukraine. A further 3.7 million people have been displaced within the country (so-called internally displaced persons) (as of February 2024. Source: UNHCR). The social difficulties resulting from the ongoing war situation, rising prices and psychological insecurity are enormous. Children and young people in particular are suffering from the consequences of the experience of war and displacement.
The aim of the project is to improve the psychosocial care of children and young people affected by the war and strengthen social cohesion in the host communities in the three oblasts of Transcarpathia, Ivano-Frankivsk, and Lviv.
The "Mobile Playgrounds" are vehicles equipped to meet the needs of children and young people, with which teams of psychologists and social workers offer types of activities tailored to the age of the children at schools and other locations:
- Physical activities (sports, team-building activities, quests, dancing)
- Creative workshops (art therapy, handicrafts, music sessions, etc.)
- Activities with a psychologist (board games, metaphorical cards, psychological sessions with game elements)
The combination of these types of activities contributes to a child's complex development, helps them reduce stress, become more creative, work in a team, improve their communication skills and fine motor skills.
Project details
Partner: Malteser Ukraine
Project region: Lviv region, Ukraine
Donors: Aktion Deutschland Hilft, Malteser, Johanniter
