WWO 2023 Impact Report Final - Flipbook - Page 20
UKRAINE
Established 2022
When WWO launched the Element of Play® program shortly
a昀琀er the onset of the war, our ini琀椀al projec琀椀ons aimed to
impact 6 regions, establish 14 partner sites, and bene昀椀t
approximately 1,250 individuals by the end of 2023.
Despite the challenges posed by delivering services during
war琀椀me, such as travel insecuri琀椀es, working in darkness
or amidst air raids, and price 昀氀uctua琀椀ons, WWO Ukraine
witnessed tremendous expansion of the Element of Play®
programs in 2023. Our programs expanded from 9 out of 2
Regions to 25 ci琀椀es across 10 regions by the end of 2023, marking
a remarkable 64% growth. Ukraine more than doubled the number of
bene昀椀ciaries served during this tumultuous period.
3,581 TOTAL BENEFICIARIES
1,206 CAREGIVERS
1,761 CHILDREN & YOUTH
364 PARTNER STAFF
15 TEACHERS
35 COLLABORATIVE PARTNERS
8 COMMUNITY CENTERS
2 KINDERGARTENS
19 LIBRARIES
6 SCHOOLS
The impact of trauma on the developing brains of children is par琀椀cularly evident
during war琀椀me. WWO is collabora琀椀ng with Ukrainian libraries, preschools, refugee
centers, and other ins琀椀tu琀椀ons to provide our Element of Play® curriculum and
program supplies, crea琀椀ng a structured, play-based environment for children. Parents
are a昀昀orded the opportunity to engage with their children through play, thereby
strengthening the parent-child rela琀椀onship, increasing opportuni琀椀es for laughter and
joy, and reducing feelings of isola琀椀on and fear.
Our trauma-informed spaces o昀昀er structure, rou琀椀ne, and safety for children who
may otherwise be experiencing overwhelming chaos and stress. Our programs aim
to provide a safe and structured play space for children and their caregivers to 昀椀nd a
moment to breathe, connect, and laugh. The Element of Play® program seamlessly
integrates into this challenging environment, o昀昀ering a beacon of hope and respite
amidst adversity.
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