Project description
In Ukraine, Father's House, together with Come Over and Help, tackles the need among (pregnant) teenagers and young mothers, and tries to prevent abortions and baby abandonment among them. In mother and baby centre Bethel, mothers learn to live independently and take good care of their small children. They also receive help in finding education or work, housing and contact with the child's father and family. Help the young mothers take steps towards a better family life!
Why this project?
They are mostly orphan girls or girls from broken families who get pregnant unintentionally at a young age. They have no secure family life and do not know how to provide a stable home for their children. Because Father's House educates and helps, these expectant mothers choose to raise their children themselves anyway. They then provide psychological, medical, social and financial support to the new mothers. So that, together with their children, these mothers lead independent lives while living in harmony with the environment.
Impact
Every year, eight to 10 women stay at the Bethel centre with their children. Almost all the young women improve contact with their families; some even go on to live with them afterwards. Others manage to find work and rent a flat. In a rare case, a mother loses her rights to parenthood and a child is adopted. In addition, thanks to Father's House, most children learn to develop a bond with their father.
What can we learn?
The Bethel centre understands the art of mimicking a home situation. The team creates the right preconditions and the young mothers then work hard to become self-reliant. This requires an open attitude from all involved, something contrary to the culture.
Setting a good example for our children is essential. How do we do that? Do we dare to ask for help in doing so? In the Netherlands, many children no longer know a traditional family life. Do we have an eye for that? Consider the work done by VBOK (Siriz), Neighbourhood Families or Foster Care.
