From April,26 to July,1 2011 the second stage of Silver Coin charitable project was rolled in all regions of Ukraine. Special boxes were installed in branches of the bank all over Ukraine to collect money for special training programs aimed to teach Down's syndrome kids to speak and read.
The ammount of UAH 292'424 in two months was raised. The project coin by coin pulled money to develop and spread dedicated programs to Down’s Syndrome kids. Families with such children got their training books and special training programms were held.
Over 420 children in Ukraine are born with Down’s syndrome every year, statistics shows. Any couple may have a kid with the syndrome irrespectively of parents’ health and lifestyle. With proper psychological, coaching and medical support all such children can become full-fledged members of society. For quite a while, countries all over the globe have been applying a well-established model to support such kids and their families. However, Ukraine still lacks a systemic model to support and provide professional aid to people with Down’s syndrome and their families.
Ukrainian Down Syndrome Organization (www.downsyndrome.org.ua) - established in 2003 by parents of children with Down’s syndrome. The Organization aims to support people with Down’s syndrome and other genetic diseases and their families (medical and educational support), as well as help them socially adapt and leave a full life. Today Ukrainian Down Syndrome Organization pulls over 520 families throughout Ukraine. On 2 November 2010, UDSO opened Early Learning and Development Center for children with Down’s Syndrome, which now covers over 280 families all over Ukraine. All programs run by the Center are free.
Ukrainian Down Syndrome Organization is a permanent member of the European Down Syndrome Association, which pulls 43 non-governmental organizations promoting and supporting interests of people with Down’s Syndrome in 30 countries throughout the globe.
