Following the completion of a free retraining program—implemented by the team at the charitable organization "Light of Hope" (Svitlo Nadii) in partnership with JERU as part of the project "Supporting the Social and Financial Recovery of War-Affected Communities in the Poltava Region"—45 individuals have acquired a new profession.
.png)
.png)
.png)
A group studying "Fundamentals of Therapeutic and Wellness Massage" was the latest to complete their training. Six participants have mastered this specialty and are now embarking on a new professional path.
"I wouldn't have been able to afford these courses on my own. This way, I gained new knowledge—confirmed by a certificate—and improved my own well-being at the same time, since we practiced by massaging each other. You can actually feel the progress in your own body with every session, and it helps you better understand what the instructor is explaining," shared graduate Iryna.
.png)
.png)
"During my training, I worked in a pair with Nataliia. We decided to continue collaborating. We’ve already rented a space and are inviting people we know; we plan to keep developing," noted Liudmyla, a graduate.
Recently, a group of visually impaired individuals learned how to perform professional massage. Participants in the program also trained as bakers, auto mechanics, specialists in the installation and operation of solar panels, and producers of bread and baked goods.
.png)
Almost half of the participants now earn an income from their new profession—meaning they have secured employment in the field, are working part-time in the new sector, or have become self-employed.
The program was established to help individuals from vulnerable groups become competitive in today’s labor market.
The project is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by the Light of Hope NGO in partnership with JERU (Joint Emergency Response in Ukraine of international NGOs Welthungerhilfe and Concern Worldwide).
