RC Cherkasy | Rotary Freebook Kids 

Why do we need „Freebook“ Kids Project?

According to statistics, since the beginning of the full-scale war, 1166 air raids have been sounded in Cherkasy region, the longest lasting 6 hours and 52 minutes. A total of 35,113 alarms were recorded across Ukraine. During an air raid, there are two threats: the first is the threat of a strike, and the second is severe stress that disrupts mental health. Not all school bomb shelters have the opportunity to continue the lesson in full, so it is important to provide children with the opportunity to relieve psychological stress during an air raid. Bookcrossing shelves are perfect for this.
Typically, bomb shelters are divided into areas for elementary, middle and high school children. The Rotary Freebook Kids shelves will be placed on the walls and divided into these three age categories. The main purpose of the shelves is to help children distract themselves from airborne anxiety, relieve themselves psychologically, develop and relax in their favorite pastime in a difficult time for everyone.
We suggest adding to the shelves:
– children’s books by Ukrainian publishers and authors to encourage children to get acquainted with the works of our artists, as reading has a positive effect on mental health, improves psycho-emotional state, and develops intellectual and mental abilities;
– interactive personal diaries of psychological recovery for boys and girls, which contain materials for children’s development, help improve mental health, creativity and creative thinking;
– coloring books are part of art therapy, as drawing helps to free the mind from unnecessary thoughts that cause stress, as well as relax and improve mood;
– motivational colored postcards that a child can keep as a souvenir after reading the book.
The project can be scaled up across Ukraine, because not only children in Cherkasy region need such interactive activities, but also in other regions.
Thus, the Rotary Freebook Kids project is very important and useful, as it will help children to relieve their emotional stress and become interested in reading. And a book is an enrichment and filling of everyone’s inner world!