Summer School for Ukrainian youngsters
Summer School for Ukrainian youngsters
Damen’s Support Foundation hosted 15 Ukrainian youngsters for a special Summer School in the Netherlands recently and it was a great success. The enthusiastic students, which are the children of our Ukrainian colleagues, attended a packed programme in Vlissingen and Gorinchem (the headquarters of Damen), which combined education and fun.
They were introduced to Damen and the world of shipbuilding and treated to activities such as tours of various shipyards and the company's largest superyacht, as well as visits to local museums, workshops, beach activities, and delicious dinners and buffets.
Great success
The week culminated with a fantastic BBQ party at our HQ, where many of our Ukrainian colleagues joined in to meet the children. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the BBQ which was a nice ending to a very special week, even though many of the children did not want to go back home just yet.
New perspective
The children and two mothers who accompanied the group enjoyed the week with full gusto, and were extremely grateful for this special, but also emotional week, and for everything they had been able to see and experience in the Netherlands. Damen is pleased that the Summer Camp helped take the children’s minds of the war for a short while and that they had a lovely experience, leaving them with fabulous memories.
The Support Foundation aims to organise another Summer School for other Ukrainian children in the future.
Need
Meanwhile, there is practical need for housing, language lessons, mental help and physical care, like dentist and checkups. ‘Stichting Damen Helpt’ wants to fulfill these needs. Help is necessary, all donations are welcome.