Today, everything that helps Ukraine recover has become strategically important. This was stated by First Lady Olena Zelenska in an interview with the Ukrainian TV channel We Are Ukraine.
She spoke about the projects she has been managing during the war, in particular, the assistance to large foster families provided by the Olena Zelenska Foundation, which is building houses at the expense of foreign patrons for 14 such families who lost their homes as a result of Russian aggression. Recently, the Somov family from Kherson region, who are raising eight foster children, received the keys to their newly built house.
Olena Zelenska emphasized that in this way she aims to support not only these families, but also family upbringing in Ukraine as a whole.
"For more people to become foster parents, for them to make this decision, they need to know that they will not be alone on this path, and will receive all the assistance possible," the President's wife said.
The First Lady also emphasized the importance of building a barrier-free environment in Ukraine at the level of both accessible space and opportunities for all Ukrainians: "When we started this work before the invasion, it was perceived as simply 'let's do it like in Europe.' But now we know: first and foremost, it is done for people. Because when there is no barrier-free access, it is a direct violation of human rights."
Olena Zelenska provided the TV channel with a printed version of the Barrier-Free Handbook, the first printed guide to proper communication in the country, which is regularly updated and supplemented.
The First Lady urged as many media outlets as possible to duplicate their messages in sign language.
"Imagine how many people on February 24, 2022, did not find out in time that the invasion had begun due to the lack of this option. The media should ensure that every person gets the information they need in the most convenient way," she said.
Olena Zelenska also spoke about the importance of the All-Ukrainian Mental Health Program "How Are You?", which is being implemented in the country under her patronage. The President's wife noted that neglecting mental health problems leads to a two- to threefold increase in medical costs for both individuals and the state.
"The EU loses 5% of its GDP annually due to mental health problems, as people are ineffective on the ground," the First Lady said.
She emphasized that the Program aims to shore up Ukrainian endurance in tough times of war.
"Every resilience has a foundation. At the beginning of the Russian invasion, it was perseverance and fury, but now it has to be endurance. It is especially important now. We don't know the distance we are running, so we have to gauge our limits," the President's wife is convinced.
