As Ukraine continues to destabilize, families and individuals afflicted by the ongoing armed clashes come from diverse religious backgrounds; Jewish, Christian (including Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant) and Muslim communities. While some temporary housing is provided by state authorities and private individuals, special programs for psychological, spiritual, and material support are needed for those traumatized by the upheavals. As example of such programs is a seven-day retreat for groups of 25-40 people of various interfaith backgrounds. It includes transportation to the safe retreat facility, boarding, meals, the assistance of psychologists, social workers, spiritual leaders and an animator for children.
Our first rehabilitation program took place in May of 2015. 25 participants visited a retreat center and a monastery in Krekhiv outside of Lviv. The program included individual talks and meetings with spiritual guides, psychologists, and professional trainers in conflict situations.
The participants also had a chance to visit beautiful places in the Javoriv natural park, monastery and enjoy sunny weather. At the end of the day, the monks prepared a delicious dinner for everybody on the grounds of the monastery.
All participants have filled out a survey and the results were presented during the first international conference on the Social Responsibility of Business at the Lviv City Council. During this event, SportLife Company gave three annual membership cards to the children whose fathers died in the war.
