The Don Bosco Schools in Vöcklabruck started an integration initiative: the fourth graders of the educational institute for elementary education set out for St. Georgen im Attergau to spend an afternoon there with the 73 Ukrainian children and young people. It was a first meeting – further meetings are already planned.
The seven to 17-year-old orphans from the eastern Ukrainian city of Donetsk have been in Austria with four companions since mid-March. For the visit, the schoolgirls prepared various games and handicraft materials with the after-school care teachers. So they made a game for language comprehension in class, which not only imparted knowledge that afternoon, but also put everyone in a good mood.
The communication with the children was completely uncomplicated. Many of them speak English, or they use translation apps and use their hands and feet. “Many children were very open and motivated to play with us. They were so happy about the little things,” concluded one student. The children were also very interested in the material for knotting Loom friendship bracelets.
The schoolgirls were accompanied by director Margit Gangl and specialist teacher for kindergarten didactics, Karin Baumann. A private initiative and the parish of St. Georgen established contact with the school. “Both the students and our teachers immediately agreed to take part,” reports Margit Gangl. “The first contacts have been made and everyone is looking forward to continuing. It’s nice to see that our students have managed to pass on joy, fun and a feeling of charity to the children from Ukraine with simple means.” Games are planned for the next meeting, but also eating together, exercise and outdoor sports as well as language training and creative design.
Donation and football kick
The “freiraum europa” association, which supports aid projects for people with disabilities, also paid a visit to the Ukrainian orphans. The delegation from Linz had brought a donation check for 8245 euros. The money was donated to a house collection. There was also great joy about the joint football game with the professionals from the partner club SV Blau-Weiss Linz.
Source: Nachrichten
