Vilnius University (VU) together with the Embassy of Israel in Lithuania starts the student mentoring program "Kelrodė žvaigdė". This is VU's gift to Lithuania on the occasion of the centenary. 100 volunteers will become friends and mentors of 3rd-6th grade students from poor or socially excluded families.
The project will aim to establish strong ties between the two social groups. Students will help children who have difficulty learning and communicating or simply need an older person who can become a role model and friend. In cooperation with the Vilnius City Municipality, the Ministry of Education and Science, schools and day care centers, 100 children were selected, each of whom will have a Kelrodė star - a VU student.
According to VU Vice-Rector for Community Affairs Assoc. Dr. Birutė Švedaitė-Sakalauskė, the project is planned to be continued every year - 3000 freshmen join the VU community every year, and there are no fewer children in Lithuania who need an older friend.
"For such children, individual attention and a person they can trust, who will be able to show that the world is much wider than the immediate environment of the child, are extremely important. For example, to show that there is a university and that this child, like any other, has the opportunity to study there, because his life is primarily in his own hands. "Kelrode žvaigdė" is an opportunity to connect two Lithuanias: the one that is successful and the one that is struggling. Such connectivity is extremely important for the sustainability of our society and its future", said the VU vice-rector about the project.
The project of "Kelrodes žvaigdaždas" was inspired by the extraordinary and plenipotentiary ambassador of the State of Israel to Lithuania, Amir Maimons. Originating in Israel, Perach is one of the most successful educational initiatives in the world, now spread across 25 countries.
Perach is a volunteer project based on the fundamental principle of the Jewish tradition - in the community, all people are responsible for each other. Based on this principle, the Jewish community has held together and preserved its identity over the centuries. We believe that it is vital for society to educate the younger generation by instilling in them the values of volunteering, encouraging caring for those in need. We are particularly interested in spreading the idea of the Perach project and sharing its results - this has been one of the most important priorities of the embassy since its opening," said A. Maimonas.
Volunteers will meet their young friends once a week and interact for at least two hours. Classes will be held at home, on campus, in playgrounds, libraries, and museums. Students and children will be able to decide for themselves how to spend their time - doing homework, playing computer games or football, going to a movie or relaxing in nature.
"One hundred is a symbolic number, besides, the state of Lithuania is celebrating its centenary, but this is not a limit - we would like as many students as possible to get involved in activities that serve the welfare of society. Vilnius University 20 thousand are studying young people - this number contains a lot of potential and energy to contribute to the change of our society for the better", said B. Švedaitė-Sakalauskė.
