Believe in yourself

A project named “I Am the Guardian of the Family Hearth,” aimed at the social integration of teenage girls, was launched in Kyiv. It is supposed to teach teenage girls from vulnerable social strata the most indispensable skills and knowledge to properly begin their independent adult lives, raise their self-esteem and self-confidence, cultivate industriousness and strong character, instill a feeling of dignity, map out their life goals, and realize them.

The first workshop for more than 1,000 young ladies was held by Vlada Prokaieva, director of the charitable foundation Gifted Children as Ukraine’s Future. The teens showed a vivid interest in problems related to their lives, and joined in a discussion on topics of vital importance. Prokaieva shared the secrets of her own success and assured the girls that it is up to each of them to become successful, and that now was the moment to start thinking about their goals and how to realize them.

All in all, 300 girls aged 14 to 17 will take part in the pilot program “I Am the Guardian of the Family Hearth.” A part of them are orphaned, deprived of parental care, and come from poor families. A part also comes from “normal” homes. The latter were allowed to participate in the project after passing through a contest, based on which answers to the question “Who is the present-day guardian of the family hearth?” the organizing committee found to the aptest and most interesting. The committee received 1,938 letters, a part of which were exhibited at the entrance hall of the Palace of Youth and Children.

The social adaptation program for girls consists of four blocks of practical and theoretical classes and will last three months, from September 23 to December 26, 2010. In the meantime, the young ladies will take part in psychology trainings concerning young woman’s sexual health, means of contraception, the danger of sexually transmitted diseases, HIV/AIDS, and dangers of early abortions. There will also be image studios (workshops in beauty care, style, cosmetics, hair styling, and etiquette). Well-known Ukrainian women also are supposed to hold master classes to share the secrets of their own road to success.