Ursula von der Leyen and Olena Zelenska (Photo: @Olena Zelenska/Telegram)
First Lady Olena Zelenska spoke on social networks about her meeting with the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen. The topic of the meeting was the problem of Ukrainian orphans, the number of whom became much larger due to the war in the country. They discussed the reform of Ukrainian orphanages and the first lady invited to share the experience of the European Union in this direction.
"Almost 25,000 orphans are residents of children's boarding schools in Ukraine. And, unfortunately, the number of such children is increasing every day due to the russian invasion... During the last few months, with the help of the Diya portal, more than 800 Ukrainian families have started consultations about possible adoption. Despite the war, in spite of it, Ukrainians strive to share family warmth. Right now, Ukraine is closer than ever to getting rid of the outdated Soviet phenomenon — orphanages — and finding a foster family for every child," Olena Zelenska wrote.
She added that raising children in families, and not in orphanages, is one of the requirements for Ukraine's accession to the EU.
"I talked about it today with the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen. She is not visiting Kyiv for the first time during these difficult months, she also consistently advocated granting Ukraine the status of a candidate country for EU membership and comprehensive military assistance."
Photo: @Olena Zelenska/Telegram
"Ms. von der Leyen said that being a foster family in Ukraine is now more difficult than ever. For example: 343 foster families, in which 1,386 children are being raised, became internally displaced because they lost their homes or no longer feel safe. Another 706 families with 3093 children went abroad. They also often have nowhere to return," Zelenska shared the details of the meeting.
She noted that Ukraine will need European experience in the reform of orphanages. She informed that, in cooperation with the Ministry of Social Policy, the creation of a project office is starting, which will be the brain of the reform and will give it the right direction.
Photo: @Olena Zelenska/Telegram
Olena Zelenska met with Ursula von der Leyen during her visit to Brussels. She became the first guest in the history of the European Parliament to be invited to the meeting dedicated to listening to the annual Report on the State of the European Union.
