For the fourth year in a row, the Gozo Regional Council is hosting a group of Ukrainian youths, hailing from war-torn regions near the border with Russia. The Gozo Region organised this initiative in collaboration with the Association for Ukrainian Cities. The youths will spend seven days in Gozo, attending a varied number of activities organised by local councils in Gozo and a Gozitan Youth Centre. In this remarkable show of international solidarity, 10 youths and their leader get a break from the havoc of war.
The youths range between the ages of nine and 17. They will attend several activities in Gozo, from physical activities such as watersports, boat rides and walking with alpacas to more social activities such as games with local youths. The flights, accommodation, local transportation and some meals are being provided by the Gozo Regional Council while the activities are sponsored by the participating local councils and organisation. The local councils that participated in this initiative are Rabat Città Victoria, Għajnsielem, Għarb, Għasri, Kercem, Qala, San Lawrenz, Xagħra, Xewkija and Żebbuġ. Each local council and the Nadur Teen and Youth Centre (NTYC) will show the youths around their respective locality and organise fun activities such as swimming, feeding farm animals, ice-breaking games, dancing and even a boat tour around the island of Comino. The youths also get a taste of Gozitan culture as they taste some traditional food.
The president of the region, Dr Samuel Azzopardi commented: "For the fourth year in a row, the Gozo Regional Council decided to host and welcome another group of students from Ukrainian cities directly affected by the war. We did this to show solidarity and to offer some respite to the young people of Ukraine, far away from the bitterness and harshness of the war that is still raging on European soil. It is our little contribution towards the plight that the people of Ukraine are going through and we sincerely hope that this little contribution from the Gozo Region helps in resolving the determination of the Ukrainian people to secure the sovereignty of their country." Moreover, the president thanked the cooperating Youth Centre and local councils for contributing to this week.
At its core, the initiative aspires to create a haven of safety and normality for these young participants. Through a structured routine, they are granted the opportunity to regain their sense of confidence and optimism. The goal is to help them rediscover a semblance of normality while nurturing a renewed sense of belonging within the European community. The camp has a mix of physical, social and mental activities.
The Gozo Regional Council and the supporting Gozitan local councils express their heartfelt gratitude to the Association of Ukrainian Cities for making this impactful initiative a reality. This collaborative effort extends a helping hand to those in need and exemplifies the potential of global partnerships to bring about positive change.