SUCCESS STORY: Liia, 22, a path to socialization and first professional skills
BLOOM Program Case Study
Liia Oliinyk is a cheerful girl from Kharkiv living with Down syndrome. Her family hesitated for a long time whether she would be able to adapt to a new environment and acquire the skills necessary for future employment. Despite these doubts, her mother decided to apply for Liia to participate in the “Building the Future: Innovative Construction for a New Ukraine” training by the BLOOM (Building Livelihoods and Opportunities for Optimised Markets) Program, which became an important step toward her social integration and economic independence.
Liia joined the training course at the “Regional Center for Vocational Education in Construction Technologies of the Kharkiv Region.” She attended classes with the support of her family — accompanied by her mother or her brother. With the support of the BLOOM program consortium — Swisscontact, Mercy Corps, International Rescue Committee (IRC), and Right to Protection (R2P) — together with local partners “GERC Building Association” LLC and the Education Alliance for Ukraine (EAUA), the trainers adapted the educational materials, ensuring an inclusive approach to learning. Practical tasks were combined with accessible explanations, while the main focus was on developing applied skills in demand in the labor market.
“We were worried about whether we could fully support Liia’s learning needs, but she became the heart of the group and convincing proof that inclusive vocational education opens up new opportunities,” notes Liudmyla, the training coordinator.
For Liia, participating in the program became much more than just training. She mastered basic skills in finishing work and decorating, demonstrating a natural talent for working with colors and details during practical sessions. An equally important result was the growth of her confidence in communication: Liia began to actively interact with other participants and feel like a part of the team.
Although some complex digital topics remain a challenge for her for now, Liia already has practical skills that she can develop further. The family is considering opportunities for her future development in a creative direction — design and decorative design. This first experience of systematic vocational training has laid the foundation for her future growth and potential involvement in simple jobs in the field of decor, design, and auxiliary finishing processes.
“For our family, this is more than just training. It’s a chance for Liia to be a part of society, to develop, and to feel that she can be useful,” shares the participant’s mother.
Liia (on the right) in the learning space.
Liia studying drafting techniques with a teacher.