Kiev, Ukraine - Ukraine is famous for its family traditions, and therefore, family values and the International Day of Families were widely celebrated in Kiev, with UPF contributing to the educational program "School of Life" and planting trees at five orphanages.
City authorities invited the families of Kiev to the Operetta Theater, where winners of a contest of outstanding families, were awarded. After the official part, children performed the musical "Bremen Town Musicians."
{besps}/images/ftp_uploads/2013/ukraine/idf-5145{/besps}UPF-Ukraine contributed to such an important event for the city and its population by offering an educational program as part of the "School of Life." For several months, students studied the disciplines of moral and ethical education, a healthy lifestyle, and building relationships. They had a chance to visit the Verkhovna Rada (Parliament) of Ukraine. About 40 participants received certificates of completion and valuable gifts.
Also, on May 21, UPF organized a tree-planting at an orphanage and gave seedlings to four other children's homes. A Crimean nursery provided a special variety of peach trees called "Ambassador for Peace," which is resistant to early frosts. After the planting of seedlings, every child made a promise to take special care of his or her tree and, of course, they all invited adults to share their future harvest.
UPF organized this celebration of the International Day of Families in a family style, with the support of friends and partners. Ambassador for Peace Sergey Leonidovich Zaitsev arranged for the delivery of the seedlings from the Crimea and donated organic fertilizer to the orphanages.
Participants were encouraged to make ongoing efforts to promote the family and family values.