Thirst for knowledge and desire to acquire new achievements and need of personal development gathered together 30 active maltesers from Kyiv, Lviv and Ivano-Frankivsk. The so called skilling for malteser leaders was held under the theme“Motivation”. During the event various topics were discussed, sharing experience and discussing projects in particular. 

The maltesers of Ivano-Frankivsk gladly shared their knowledge. They spoke about the things they do and the ways they do them, also mentioned what should be avoided in their work. At first they presented the way they organize the malteser youth of Ivano-Frankivsk: how it appeared, what its structure is like, its rule and objectives. Afterwards, Yulia Gavrysh, who is responsible for work with orphaned children talked about her experience of working with children living in the Saint Nicholas’ Little Town of Mercy in Krykhivtsi. Yulia told how everything began, how the groups were created and what the work with children looks like at the moment. In addition, she shared her own tips and warned as to what shouldn’t be done and forgotten concerning activities with such children.

Then it was the right time to move from theory to practice. We went to see the little orphans and make sweet presents for the Saint Valentine’s day together with them. Marta and Yulia conducted a master-class on decorating cookies with eatable dyes. Other girls from the group helped with baking heart-shaped cookies, and the children mixed the dyes themselves, but of course under the proper supervision by the girls. The workshop turned out interesting for the kids who were eager to finally mix and apply the colors on their cookies, and very useful for the maltesers as they can now borrow this idea for their further meetings.

We got back from the children all pleasantly impressed, we couldn’t help talking about it all the time. Easy and smooth, we got to the work with our youngest group. Marta Yaruchyk, who is responsible for this group, talked about its history and the present-day activities. She shared her personal emotional experience and gave some advice that she had developed from her personal experience. We finished our serious discussion with sharing impressions from the long day we had had. And after dinner guys enjoyed themselves playing football, the girls went for an excursion around the city.

On Sunday we all attended the holy service and afterwards carried on with our training. We talked about motivating volunteers, shared and tried out various ways and methods of motivating. Finally, we settled the plan of our activities for the following year and talked over some advice on making up an effective plan and joint actions that would be of great use for the volunteers from the three cities.
It was a very interesting and valuable experience!