Healing Smiles for Children with Cancer

My name is Clinton Misamore.  I am a Field Program Officer for GlobalGiving.  Over the past three months I have been visiting GlobalGiving projects throughout Russia and Ukraine.  On July 6th, 2011, I had the unique opportunity to visit with the All-Ukrainian Youth Public Organization "Service For Peace," in Kiev, Ukraine. I was also fortunate enough to particpate directly in one of their art therapy sessions---making arts and crafts with children who are fighting cancer.

The art workshop consisted of dedicated volunteers making oragami and singing songs with the children.  Toms Silenieks, Project Coordinator, explained to me that the children are really responsive to these activities as it allows them to feel active during their treatment process and allows them to create something authentic.  As this specific activity proceeded the conversations seemed to cease.  Everyone was fixated on producing the perfect art project.  In fact, the children were quite quick to help their neighbors in the much confusing excercises of orgami--- a difficult affair indeed.  The important thing was that for that one hour nothing else seemed to matter.  The therapy works!

It was an amazing personal experience to find out more about the operations of Service For Peace as well as to collaborate with Toms and Anna (project advisor).  The organization is operated by just a few skilled, passionate individuals but clearly illustrates how a few individuals with an idea can help.  I strongly recommend All-Ukrainian Youth Public Organization "Service For Peace."

I would like to kindly recognize and thank Toms, Anna, and everyone else who made this visit possible.  GlobalGiving is proud to be in collaboration with such a top notch organization and we look forward to working with you in the years to come.