OEK115 Centre for mothers and babies (Kiev)
project description
Father’s House in Ukraine (together with The Linda fund) addresses the need for (pregnant) teenagers and young mothers. It tries to prevent abortions and giving up babies. In the centre for mother and babies, Bethel, mothers are taught to live independently and take good care of their little children. Besides, they receive support in looking for a job or studies, a place to stay and in staying in touch with the father and family of the child. Support the young mothers who are taking steps for a better family life.why this project?
Mostly orphan girls or girls from broken families get pregnant without intending. They are not familiar with a safe family life, and that is why they mostly do not know how to offer a stable home to their own children. Father’s House provides education and offers support so that mothers choose to raise up their children by themselves. Subsequently, the new mothers are supervised psychologically, medically, socially and financially. This is all done so that mothers can lead an independent life together with their children, and at the same time live in harmony with their own environment.impact?
Each year eight to ten women stay with their children in Bethel. Almost everyone is able to improve their contact with their family, and some of them start living with them. Some women can find a job and rent an apartment. Only seldom a mother loses the right for parenthood, and the child will be adopted. Besides, most children learn to develop a bond with their father, thanks to Father’s House.what can we learn?
The centre Bethel tries to mimic the conditions of a regular housing situation. This means that the team creates the right conditions, and young mothers work hard to become self-reliant. It requires an open attitude of everyone involved, which is not common for the Ukrainian culture. Giving a good example to your children is of vital importance. How do we give an example? Do we dare to ask help? In the Netherlands many children do not know a traditional family live. Do we still consider it? Think of the job that VBOK (Siriz) and foster care (Pleegzorg) are doing.