„Since childhood, Ugne was diagnosed with a rare congenital leg condition. Thanks to one of our foundation’s benefactors, she was able to attend the pool for many years, as water therapy strengthened not only her muscles but also her self-confidence. Once, in a letter from her mother, we read words that became part of this journey: „The whole family is happy that Ugnytė can attend the pool. Swimming greatly strengthens the muscles. We notice that her legs are becoming straighter and stronger,“ shares the sensitive story in a press release by Irina Mėdžienė, head of the charity and support foundation „Vilties liepsna“.
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However, life dealt this family another painful trial. While the mother devoted all her strength to her daughter’s health, she quietly fought a serious illness herself. Unfortunately, she could not be saved. After the mother’s loss, the father was left to care for Ugne. The family moved out of Vilnius, but Ugne’s story did not end there.
„The 10.6 thousand euro support from the endowment fund „Gerų darbų dirbtuvės“ for the project „Clubs for Children“ means that from now on we will be able to help as many as ten children.“
„A successful leg operation opened a new chapter in Ugne’s life and gave us an important lesson – a child needs not only treatment. They need the opportunity to grow, move, make friends, and believe in themselves,“ says the foundation’s head. „While looking for opportunities for Ugne, we discovered the gymnastics club „Skrydis“. At first, it was a chance to help one girl, but soon we realized that behind the gym doors many more stories awaited us. We met children, their parents, and coaches who remind us every day that the most important thing is to see not the diagnosis, but the person and their potential.“
When one story becomes the beginning of many
After Ugne, Diana came into our lives, then Laimutė, Rugilė, and Dmytro, whose stories became an integral part of our work.
For Laimutė and Rugilė, gymnastics helps build self-confidence and courage, while for Dmytro, who came with his mother from the war in Ukraine, the gymnastics club became a place where he found friends, safety, and the chance to enjoy childhood again.
„Until now, we were able to finance training for three children, but we knew that many more children were waiting for help. The 10.6 thousand euro support from the endowment fund „Gerų darbų dirbtuvės“ for our project means that from now on we will be able to help as many as ten children, for whom regular gymnastics training helps them grow, strengthen, and step into life more confidently,“ rejoices the head of „Vilties liepsna“.
The „Vilties liepsna“ project „Clubs for Children“ was among four projects that the „Gerų darbų dirbtuvės“ fund allocated part of the total 106 thousand euro support to non-governmental organizations during the first call. The support areas of „Gerų darbų dirbtuvės“ include projects for newborn and child health, talent development, civic engagement, and cultural preservation. Projects that foster Lithuania’s potential for progress are also funded.
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A place where all children have equal opportunities
The gymnastics club, led by coach Irina Katinienė, became much more than a sports club. Here, children with Down syndrome, autism spectrum disorders, or other developmental peculiarities exercise together with typically developing children – not in separate groups and not under different rules, but all together. They learn the same exercises, support each other, and celebrate victories together.
Although „Skrydis“ athletes successfully represent Lithuania in European and world championships, the greatest strength of this club lies not in medals. Its greatest value is the children who grow up here together. In the hall, there is no division into „special“ and „typically developing“ children – here there are simply children united by friendship, respect, and shared joy of being together.
From one child to hundreds of stories
Fourteen years ago, there was only a sincere desire to help one small child.
„However, soon our path led us to the Santaros Clinics Children’s Hospital. There we met families whose daily life became a wait between wards, tests, and surgeries. We saw that sometimes help requires very little: the opportunity to continue treatment, paid rehabilitation, necessary medical supplies, or simply knowing that they are not alone in this fight. One story followed another. This is how the charity and support foundation was born,“ says I. Mėdžienė about the beginning of the journey.
According to her, from the first child to the hundreds of children met over fourteen years, the same belief accompanies them that timely help can change a life. We cannot change the diagnosis or erase painful experiences, but we can help so that they do not become obstacles to growing, learning, dreaming, and enjoying childhood.
„In fourteen years of existence, we have seen everything: how a calm family life collapses in one day upon hearing a diagnosis, and how poverty tries to extinguish a child’s smile. Our work rarely has stories with a clear beginning and end. We are there when help is most needed: sometimes for a few months, sometimes for several years, and sometimes for a lifetime. One timely outstretched hand can become support for the whole family, and sometimes – the beginning of many other stories,“ admits the head of „Vilties liepsna“.
Over those fourteen years, some are already grown up, others are just taking their first steps. Some write a message, send a photo, or just drop by to say hello after many years. In such moments, we realize that our greatest gift is to see children grow, start believing in themselves, and their parents can smile again.
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