12-year-old Yurii has big goals in life. This summer marked a turning point for him as he began attending Lumos classes in Ukraine, and his mother has already noticed remarkable positive changes.
Yurii faces the challenges of a speech disorder, and as a result, only those closest can understand him. Three years ago, he studied at a boarding school in Korostyshiv, but following a diagnosis of epilepsy, he went to a Pulyny school that has an inclusive center. It is there that he joined a Lumos programme, where now he is working hard to achieve his dreams.
Yurii's mother, Tetiana, understands that the benefits of this programme won’t come quickly, but she has already noticed the effects of the classes. "Yurii is becoming a teenager, so the changes may not be as rapid as they would have been for a younger child", she explains. However in just a brief period since he joined the programme, the family have already seen inspiring and remarkable changes.
"The teachers are dedicated to his growth, and I appreciate their efforts. While the changes aren't immediately visible, they do exist. It’s more challenging at his age, but despite joining the programme a bit later, the progress is still significant", she shares with us.
Tetiana was pleasantly surprised by the educational kit provided by Lumos, which included a tablet, engaging educational games, notebooks, books and more. “Yurii was so excited that he immediately wanted to come home to charge his tablet!" says Tetiana with a smile. She did not even expect such support.
Now, as the holiday season is in full swing, Yurii’s family is both cheerful and a little sad. Yurii's family tradition is to decorate the Christmas tree and celebrate the New Year. They have never skipped the fun process of decorating the Christmas tree. But this year, their celebration is bittersweet, as Yurii’s father serves in the military, with his absence noticeable as they wrap the tree in tinsel and lights. However, Yura and Tetiana believe in a better future and hope for peace and happiness in the New year. The biggest wish for the New Year is the end of the war in Ukraine, holding close their faith that everything will be alright.
We have proudly supported the education centre in Ukraine that Yurii attends, along with many other children. By supporting families with local education tailored to the needs of their children, they are more likely to remain together.