“Become my friend” is a social volunteer project, built on the concept of creating friendly couples for young disabled people, started a few months ago at once in four regions of Ukraine (Ivano-Frankivsk, Transcarpathia, Lviv and Chernivtsi). On the 20^th of December in Uzhgorod the headchefs of regional projects, volunteers and journalists gathered to discuss the first results and share the experiences of the project.

In Ivano-Frankivsk the project “Help others - become a friend” started in August on the base of the Charitable Foundation “Caritas of Ivano-Frankivsk UGCC”.

Realizing the project “Help others - become a friend”, which began in August 2011 on the basis of CF “Caritas of Ivano-Frankivsk UGCC” 20 friendly pairs with mutual interests were formed among young people with disabilities and volunteers of Caritas.

Except individual meetings, mutual activities and friendship, friendly pairs actively joined group lessons.

A lot of beautiful beaded necklaces, wooden frames, interesting Christmas decorations, decorative candlesticks and other interesting things were made together. These activities are very important and effective not only for youth but also for volunteers, who, being in such an environment, learn to accept people as they are, with all their weaknesses and character, through friendship with disabled people they can learn other values of life, discover a new sense of life and see the world through the eyes of love.

Considering the fact that on the 5^th of December the whole world celebrated the Volunteer Day, ICC workers decided to devote this month to organize educational and practical training for volunteers of CF “Caritas of Ivano-Frankivsk UGCC” - students of the seminary. During the first meeting there was a survey, where the themes of the following trainings were identified, which will promote their professional training for the care of sick people. Also various life situations were discussed that help to develop sensitivity and sincerity to meet people who need care.

Only on this basis we can transmit the basic knowledge of practical work, and receive the necessary skills. To implement the identified problems in the training of the project four educational and practical training for volunteers were held.

On a positive note, there was a lesson “Measurement of the vital indicators of the human body”, during which the volunteers gained the knowledge and skills in measuring blood pressure, pulse and holding glucometer. The main thing for every social worker is to be able to provide their high quality services that warn the emergence and development of chronic diseases.

In Ukraine, for a long time St. Nicholas Day has been a significant and joyous holiday of charity. In the modern world there was a good tradition, exactly on St. Nicholas Day to take care of disadvantaged children and young people, giving them gifts.

This year on the 19^th of December CF “Caritas of Ivano-Frankivsk UGCC” presented their wards the unforgettable winter tale on “Ice arena”.

Day of Disabled People for mentally disabled youth from Ivano-Frankivsk Caritas is a cheerful and joyful holiday. They just like other people want to play and enjoy, and on this day they feel like real stars. “For our children Caritas is a second home and they are genuinely happy to have the opportunity to spend time with each other and boast their talents” - says Oksana Maydanyuk, the mother of disabled Christina.

To celebrate the Day of Disabled People that was held last Friday in CF “Caritas of Ivano-Frankivsk UGCC” Caritas prepared beforehand. Parents of disabled young people together with Caritas workers organized sweets and interesting entertaining program with participation of guests from the village Bryn, Galych region.