Children of fallen and missing Heroes from Lutsk City Territorial Community depart for rehabilitation in the USA
On July 1st, from the Lutsk City Territorial Community, eighteen children of fallen defenders of Ukraine, of service members who are missing or held in captivity departed for a three-week rehabilitation and vacation trip to the United States.
This journey became possible thanks to a Memorandum of Understanding between the Lutsk City Council and the NGO Together Ministry, signed earlier this year by Lutsk City Mayor Ihor Polishchuk during his official visit to Washington, D.C. The memorandum marks a significant step in strengthening international cooperation in support of war-affected families.
Mayor Ihor Polishchuk shared that the 18 children are traveling to Kent, Washington (a sister city of Lutsk) where they will spend their holidays. The initiative is being carried out in collaboration with NGO Together Ministry. All travel, accommodation, food, and activity expenses are fully covered by the host organization.
“We are very grateful to the Ukrainians in the U.S. who are helping these children of Heroes to rest, recover, experience a different country, and maybe even make new friends. All the children received 10-year U.S. visas, which is a great asset for the future. I wish each of them a safe and joyful time in the U.S., with unforgettable memories, new friendships, and meaningful experiences,” said Mayor Polishchuk.
The project is being coordinated by Lutsk City Council member Roman Kravchuk, in partnership with the Veterans Policy Department.
It was emphasized that the main goal of the trip is to help the children heal emotionally and cope with psychological trauma. The children will be hosted by Ukrainian Christian families, immigrants now living in the U.S.
“Supporting the families of fallen soldiers is a priority for the Lutsk City Council. This trip is designed to offer emotional and psychological recovery for the children who have suffered the loss of their loved ones,” Kravchuk said.
Deputy Mayor Iryna Chebeliuk expressed gratitude to the parents for the courage it took to send their children on such a long journey:
“We are truly happy for your children. They have a wonderful opportunity to spend three weeks in the United States. It wasn’t easy preparing for this, but when the work is well-coordinated, the results speak for themselves. Now comes the most important part: crossing the border, flying to the U.S., and staying with host families who will help them rest and heal. I hope this trip will leave lasting impressions and cherished memories.”
The children, aged 13 to 15, will stay free of charge with Ukrainian immigrant families. The program is rich and engaging:
- Week 1: Family adaptation;
- Week 2: Ukrainian-American day camp focused on rehabilitation and support;
- Week 3: Educational tours of major U.S. tech companies in Washington State, including Microsoft, Amazon, Boeing, Google, Facebook, and more.
Department of informational work,
Department of International Cooperation and Project Activities