UKRAINE: Youth with amputations find hope
Salesians launching more soccer teams to help youth meet challenges
(MissionNewswire) More than a year ago, Salesian missionaries, located in Lviv, Ukraine*, created the first soccer team made up of youth who have limb amputations due to the war. Based on the success, a professional team and a team for younger youth with amputations have also been launched.
The professional team is participating in the Polish national championship and provides advice to those looking to get started in the field. The Pokrova Salesian team takes its name from the title of the most venerated Madonna in the country, Our Lady of All Protection.
Father Mykhaylo Chaban, Salesian superior of the Mary Help of Christians Vice-Province in Ukraine, said, “Every day, several of our rehabilitation specialists, coaches and psychologists work together to help young people overcome this difficult time, find a new balance in life and find an activity that they like that gives them hope.”
Building off the expertise gained, Salesians have also started the first team for younger youth who have had amputations. These activities have been made possible thanks to the support of the Salesian Mission Office in Bonn, Germany. Salesians have also become an information source for those in Ukraine looking to do something similar.
Mateusz Widlak, president of Central Soccer Association for Amputees in Europe, expressed support for the Salesian initiatives. Salesians are looking to start a whole league for amputees in Ukraine. Following the Salesian example, two other teams were created — Shakhtar Stalevi in Donetsk and Dnipro Cherkasy.
“This past weekend, we organized our first event for the whole of Ukraine,” explained Fr. Chaban. “We have hosted these teams in our Salesian center to give youth time for play, training and recreation. The purpose was to get to know each other. We have also organized education for people who would like to create soccer teams for amputees in their cities. Several managers participated in the training. They will start the work to develop new teams soon.”
Fr. Chaban added, “With the new Salesian Sports and Rehabilitation Center that we are planning near Lviv and that we hope we will be able to achieve soon, we want to offer a place of hope for many young people and families.”
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Sources:
ANS Photo (usage permissions and guidelines must be requested from ANS)
UNHCR – Ukraine Statistics
*Any goods, services, or funds provided by Salesian Missions to programs located in this country were administered in compliance with applicable laws and regulations, including sanctions administered by the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Asset Control.
