During her visit to the Dnipropetrovsk region, First Lady Olena Zelenska visited a psychological assistance center, a driving school for people with disabilities, and a lyceum of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
In particular, the President's wife got acquainted with the work of the You Are Not Alone Center run by the Pidhorodne City Council. The institution provides medical examinations and diagnostics, physical and social rehabilitation, as well as psychological assistance and guardianship.
It offers art therapy for adults and children, classes for expectant mothers, and training to develop self-confidence and increase self-esteem.
The facility was established with the support of the International Organization for Migration, the Ukrainian-Swiss Mental Health for Ukraine international technical assistance project, and the Pidhorodne City Council's Primary Health Care Center.
“As a result, we have an assistance center for residents, jobs for specialists, and a good example for other communities of how joint efforts can really overcome difficulties,” Olena Zelenska said.
The President's wife also visited a driving school for people with disabilities, which operates on the basis of the Dnipro State University of Internal Affairs. This project is being implemented in six regions as part of the First Lady's “Without Barriers” initiative. In particular, in 2024, about a hundred students were trained at this driving school, 38 of whom are serving or former military personnel.
“A shared vision among all our schools: disability is no obstacle for those who want to learn to drive. Students have access to adapted vehicles, including those with manual controls, and experienced instructors,” the First Lady noted.
In addition, Olena Zelenska, together with Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Kateryna Pavlichenko, visited the Dnipro Lyceum of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, which was opened last fall. This is the fifth institution in the country created for specialized education of children of combatants. 144 lyceum students study here on full state support.
The lyceum offers training in pre-medical aid, mine and cyber security. Specialists from the Ministry of Internal Affairs conduct training, workshops and practical classes for the children. All instructors have combat experience and relevant education.
“Whether the lyceum students choose to work in the Ministry of Internal Affairs or pursue other paths in life, the important knowledge, principles, patriotism and respect for the protection of the country and its people that they have acquired here will remain with them,” the First Lady concluded.