08.08.2010

Global Compact supports the Vodohray 2010 summer camp

08.08.2010 Kyiv For several years Kraft Foods Ukraine, a Global Compact partner, has supported camps for orphans. This year the company - with support from the Global Compact initiative, Friends of Children project and UNDP / GEF Strengthening governance and financial sustainability of the national protected area system in Ukraine - organized the Vodohray 2010 summer camp for orphans.

The camp took place at the National Park Synevyr, in the village of Kolochava, (Transcarpathian region). More than 80 orphans got together, (inmates of boarding schools from four regions of Ukraine). 
Summer camps for orphans and children deprived of parental care have been organized in the Carpathian Mountains since 1996. Over the years the camp has accommodated more than 3500 orphans. The camp program aims to help these children become more active citizens and to make a positive contribution to the country. Participation encourages better behavior and learning, and provides an opportunity to make new friends, develop self-confidence, social awareness, as well as to encourage the study of history, cultural heritage and current issues facing Ukraine.

Many participants are program volunteers, including representatives of the charitable organization Friends of Children - USA (UCARE), and students. This year the camp was devoted to an ecological theme – as 2010 was declared Year of Biodiversity by the UN. Several quizzes and competitions on environmental issues were conducted with the support of the UNDP/GEF, with each child receiving a gift.

In addition the program camp inmates cleaned garbage from river banks and urged villagers to care about nature by not throwing waste inappropriately.  Environmental issues are an essential focus for the Global Compact in Ukraine and the initiative is proud of its fruitful collaboration with Kraft Foods Ukraine.