«Ray of Hope» Project: Summing Up and Looking Ahead
19/08/2025
We are pleased to inform that ASB Ukraine in cooperation with FRIDA Ukraine, a team of medical volunteers who help Ukrainian people affected by the war, implemented the project titled «Ray of Hope». The financial support was provided by Aktion Deutschland Hilft.
Main goal of the project
To create a «Ray of Hope» rehabilitation center, which can accommodate 180 children, based on the example of the orphanage, located in Smila, Cherkasy Oblast.
Therefore, ASB in cooperation with FRIDA Ukraine have done the following:
- Rehabilitation equipment was purchased
- Rehabilitation trainings for the institution employees were conducted
- The premises renovation was made
- The obtaining license process for the center's activities was supported
As a result, the «Ray of Hope» rehabilitation center was officially open on the 1st of June 2025.
It’s important to note that this project is the first of its kind in the region, implemented on the basis of a boarding institution. The center’s core mission is the long-term physical rehabilitation of children with disabilities.
The following major works were done:
- Window replacement.
- Floor replacement.
- Premises remodeling.
- Heating system installation.
- Electric lift installation.
The following equipment was installed:
- Electric therapy table.
- Bicycle ergometer for arms and legs.
- Walking simulator.
- Continuous passive movement system of finger joints.
- Other equipment.
Statistics:
Currently, 167 Smila orphanage residents are children who deprived of parental care, as well as young people with disabilities under the age of 35 who need additional care. All of these children were covered by the scope of our project. A plenty of them as well have complex physical, neurological or developmental problems that require long-term rehabilitation support. Up to 55 residents are low-mobility and require constant care as far as unable to care for themselves. The institution also houses 35 children with IDP status.
To raise awareness and staff capacities on rehabilitation services, 9 different training sessions of capacity-building activities were held for the orphanage staff. Trainings included such sessions as multisensory stimulation, contracture prevention, and ethical care practices. The quantity of institution personnel is 125 people, 89 of whom participated in 9 training sessions.
The project results:
1. Infrastructure improvement: rehabilitation center premises renovation, new floors and bathrooms installation, installation of an electric lift, etc.
2. Practice improvement: the improvement of rehabilitation measures, which have become more systematic and goal-oriented.
3. The orphanage residents prosperity improvement: Children patience, interest, engagement and physical activity developing actively.
4. Professional development: training participants report that the team now works more cohesively and with greater motivation.
Important to note, that the project was implemented with theassistance of our partner, FRIDA Ukraine. In addition we would like to express our gratitude to Aktion Deutschland Hilft for financial support, which was provided.
The photoreport is here.
The photoreport is here.