Solutions to win: Ukraine starts “Plus Plus” educational project to support military families

The government-backed network of educational, cultural, and volunteer spaces "Honcharenko Center," is launching a nationwide project to support women from military families.

The "Plus Plus" initiative can help in legal and psychological counseling, participate in workshops, and learn the basics of starting their own business, the press release says.

What is the problem?

Since the start of the full-scale war, the amount of Ukrainian troops has increased sevenfold, with the majority of them being men. Women and their families are left alone and must deal with all the challenges and problems independently.

What is the solution?

The "Honcharenko Center" network is launching a nationwide project to support women from military families called "Plus-Plus." It is a platform where participants can request legal advice and psychological support, find out how to start their own business and implement their own projects and ideas.

While our soldiers are destroying the enemy, their wives, mothers, sisters and daughters need our support and help. These are incredible people who wait every day for a short "Everything is fine, I love you, ++ [a short sign for approval]" and despite all the difficulties, they do not give up and continue to fight, the project team said in a comment to Rubryka.

According to the organizers, the pilot part of the project covers Kyiv, Myrhorod, Podilsk, Kropyvnytskyi, and Odesa cities.

The initiative is planned to be expanded to the entire network in October this year.

How does it work?

The first joined centers already have experience working with military families. For example, the "Honcharenko Center" in Podilsk has been a main base for helping the military and their families since the first days of the invasion and is now ready to transform its experience into an independent project.

We are already helping in legal issues and provide psychological support to the wives of Ukrainian troops. At the same time, we understand that there is a demand for something more. This project is an opportunity to form a community where women can help each other, share skills, feel needed, and distract themselves from negative thoughts, says Oleksandr Taraniuk, director of the center.

The initiative specializes in hosting events at the request of the participants themselves. Therefore, the project programs will differ from city to city. Participants will be able to initiate new courses and events on their own during feedback sessions with the directors.

It is important for us that these weekly meetings are really useful. That's why we offer a flexible program that we will shape together with the participants. If you need an additional session with a lawyer, we will arrange it. If you want to start your own business but don't know where to start, we invite you to a training with an expert, explains Olha Chaika, director of the "Honcharenko Center" in Kyiv.