Children with special needs attended a master class on creating perfumes in the Botanical Garden of Vyatka State University

      Now about 120 children who work in the cosmetic workshop of the Vyatka Botanical Garden can answer questions about which fragrance oils make up the perfume called "Flower Waltz", what ingredients need to be added to obtain the fragrance "Sea freshness" and what top note is present in the perfume "Freshness of the morning".

      Irina Konovalova, Associate Professor at the Vyatka State University Institute of Biology and Biotechnology, is the winner of the Potanin Foundation's "Practices of Personal Philanthropy and Altruism" competition. Thanks to the grant support of the "Expanding Borders" project, children with special needs are immersed in cosmetics production technologies.

      "In the classroom, children get acquainted with natural beauty products. Today, according to the instructions, they will create perfumes with their own hands, which they can take home with them," Irina Konovalova said.At the beginning of the lesson, the children "taste" the flavors and choose the one they like. The assortment includes coniferous, floral, and citrus flavors. Roman Voronov, a pupil of the "Road of Goodness", chose the fragrance "Sea Breeze".

      "I make this fragrance for myself because I really love the sea," Roman shared.After choosing a fragrance, the practical part begins: teachers distribute vials, cones and funnels. In front of the children's eyes there is a visual instruction on how many drops of fragrance oils should be used for each smell.

      "The main idea of the development of children with special needs involved in the "Road of Goodness" is to master practical skills. In the organization, children work in a carpentry workshop, a printing house, learn to sew, cook, and do ceramics and decor. Such trips are a powerful tool for socialization when children need to interact with new people in a new environment," said Roman Kuchumov, a teacher at The Road of Good.After a master class on creating perfumes, the children got acquainted with the plants in the greenhouse of the Botanical Garden, which are used in cosmetic products. It should be noted that 30 classes with children are planned within the framework of the project.