Humanitarian project “Warm hands”
1. Humanitarian project title: inclusive clay modeling workshop for children with disabilities “Tsyoplye ladoshki” (“Warm hands”)
2. Project implementation period: 1 year
3. Applicant organization: the branch “Handicrafts Center” of the State cultural institution “Polotsk Regional Cultural Center”
4. Relevance of the project:
The project “Tsyoplye ladoshki” (“Warm hands”) is focused on the children with disabilities living in Polotsk and Polotsk region. The Center’s operational experience has shown that handicrafts is the main type of correctional work for most of the children with disabilities, especially for those with speech, general and fine motor skills impairments.
Clay therapy helps to reduce aggression, relieve nervous tension caused by fears and negative emotions, and improve children’s hand motor skills.
Besides the rehabilitation effect, being involved in the project will stimulate children with disabilities to develop their creativity and let them feel their own value. Moreover, it may help them to choose a profession.
5. Project goal:
Creating and organizing the work of the first clay modeling workshop accessible in Polotsk for the rehabilitation, socialization and education of the children with disabilities.
6. Project objectives:
Create the conditions necessary for the inclusion of a disabled child in the creative process; instill the skills that will be useful for children with disabilities in their future lives; awaken the children with disabilities’ creative potential and freedom of self-expression.
7. Target group:
– the children with disabilities living in Polotsk and Polotsk region
8. Brief description of the project activities:
– reconstruction of the existing premises of the branch “Handicrafts Center” into a workshop;
– purchasing and connecting the special equipment for organizing the work of a clay modeling workshop (muffle kiln – 1 pc., water heating boiler – 1 pc., metal rack for drying products – 2 pcs., clay table – 3 pcs.);
– purchasing materials and raw materials for learning and working with clay (clay, glaze, plaster, paints, brushes);
‒ organizing and conducting group and individual classes on hand clay modeling in the following areas: the rules of working with clay, studying sculpting techniques, decorating (painting methods);
‒ organizing and holding the final exhibition of works to demonstrate skills and achievements in working with clay.
9. Expected Results:
At least 20 children with disabilities will be able to obtain a system of knowledge necessary in social activities; learn clay modeling, feel positive changes such as increasing self-esteem and revealing creativity; discover their individuality that will help children realize their potential in studies, creativity and communication with peers.
10. Social partnership:
‒ Polotsk Regional Executive Committee;
‒ Public educational institution “Polotsk Regional Center for Correctional and Developmental Education and Rehabilitation”
11. Total funding (in US dollars): 14 500
| Funding source | Funding amount (in US dollars) |
| Donor funds | 11500 |
| Co-funding | 3000 |
12. Post-project activities:
The creation of an inclusive workshop will further open up new additional opportunities for other categories of young people with disabilities (aged between 18 and 35) to demonstrate and implement their creative abilities and to get acquainted with the traditional crafts of their land.
13. Project location (region, city/town): Vitebsk region, Polotsk
14. Contact person: Lazarenko Svetlana Ivanovna, Director of the State cultural institution “Polotsk Regional Cultural Center”, Tel.: +375 214 46 37 82, e-mail: rmts.polotsk@vitobl.by, rmts.polotsk@yandex.by
