Click here to see a photo gallery of the event

The aim of the grant is to financially support the further training of the volunteers of the foundation to incorporate the current psychological best practices. This in time will contribute to the introduction of a real child-friendly, family oriented medical care in Hungary.

The 6-month project had four milestones. First, the Hungarian public was introduced to this approach and the exciting work of a "Child Life Specialist", as an independent profession by Swiss medical professionals in April this year during a conference.

Then, a team of 10 people (local hospital workers and volunteers from the Foundation) will travel to Switzerland in the coming days to observe the approach in practice. Thirdly, two publications (a professional manual for the volunteers and a coloring book preparing children for the hospital stay) were created.

Lastly, a press conference was held in June this year where we saw a short promotional film about how this program is being rolled out. And long may this is heart-warming work continue.

Words and photos by Russell Skidmore for XpatLoop.com
After an extensive career in advertising - as an Art Director & Creative Director in London, Paris and Budapest for leading agencies - Russell transferred the skills and knowledge gained to the development of his own successful company covering wedding, event, PR and portrait photography: www.russell-skidmore-photography.co.uk