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.

For youth with disabilities it is also very important to feel their own opportunities to feel that they are not the only one get something, but can teach their fellow-volunteers something new. This is a great joy for them and at the same time - outstanding opportunity to integrate into society, to foster self-esteem and value of life.

Together, we prove that society is humane when it is based on openness and respect for the weak and despised people. A volunteer Skydanchuk Ulyana shared her impressions – “What led me to the second and subsequent times to Caritas is a desire to be with others, because, according to Jean Vanier (founder of “L'Arche ‘),” our heart needs no fame, no power nor success, nor honors. The only its need is love and unity with other people's hearts”.

These events took place thanks to financial support of the operating Netherland Foundations for Central and Eastern Europe, and Skanfund and Carpathian Foundation (ICF “Fund of development of the Carpathian Euroregion”) in the framework of the Friends' program “Two are needed: help others - become a friend”.