With the support of Metinvest, teachers have acquired the skills of a global hibuki-therapy technique.
Since March this year, the hub of the non-government organization 'Zaporizhzhia. Platform for Joint Action' has been hosting an important training programme for educators working with children in Zaporizhzhia gymnasiums, who have been learning hibuki-therapy techniques. The project involved 35 teachers from Zaporizhzhia. Metinvest Group organised the training at its own expense.
Hibuki-therapy is a method of psychological support for children who have experienced traumatic events, including those related to war, invented in Israel. Therefore, this practice is extremely relevant for Ukraine. ‘Hibuk’ in Hebrew means hug. That is, a hibuki is a cuddle dog designed to envelop a child in its arms and give him or her a sense of trust and security at the same time. This is the key to revealing the child's feelings, empathy and establishing a dialogue with the young patient.
"This is a very gentle psychological help for kids – through toys, emotions, hugs. So, of course, Metinvest was happy to support the initiative of the Department of Education to introduce this method of working with children in our schools. We are confident that the experience of a country that has been at the war for many years will be useful for Ukrainian educational institutions," said Iraisat MAGOMEDALIEVA, project manager of Metinvest Group.
This method of therapy is intended for children aged 4 to 17 years. Classes can be held both individually and in a group.
"Such projects are definitely timely now. Our children should not be left alone with the pain, trauma, loss and fear that the war brings. I am confident that the skills gained in the use of hibuki-therapy will help Zaporizhzhia teachers work with children more effectively, improving their psycho-emotional state. I am glad that it was Metinvest that brought this technique to Zaporizhzhia," said Maksym PED, HR Director of Zaporizhstal.
Educators believe that children suffer the most from the war, so the hibuki-therapy method is extremely necessary. Especially in frontline Zaporizhzhia. Iryna, a psychologist and project participant, is pleased with the training. She says the main task is to understand and learn how to help children in crisis situations.
"The training was very easy - there was a lot of creativity, emotions, communication, and interactive tasks. Of course, we will practice hibuki-therapy with the children, and we will continue to study in order to support the kids even more effectively," said Iryna YURCHENKO, a psychologist at Gymnasium No. 25.
The author of hibuki-therapy is Israeli Daphne Sharon-Maksimov. For a month, she helped Ukrainian educators master this unique methodology.
"War is hard for everyone, especially for children. We need to know how to support them. I hope that Ukrainian children will be able to overcome the traumas they suffered during the war, and it is you and your knowledge that will help them do so," said Daphne SHARON-MAKSIMOV.
As part of the project, Zaporizhzhia educators received unique therapeutic toys from Metinvest. The teachers chose hibuki dogs to work with the kids. The hibuki-therapy project is now being actively implemented in other Ukrainian cities, including Cherkasy.
It is worth reminding that this is not the only psychological support project in the city implemented thanks to Metinvest and Zaporizhstal. Zaporizhzhia also has community centre Oplich HUB, which is open to children. It offers psychological counselling, various activities for visitors, lectures and masterclasses, and creative classes. Assistance is provided to Zaporizhzhia residents absolutely free of charge and confidentially.
