Basketball training at the ‘Active Vilnius’ arena with the Vilnius BC RYTAS team
On 26 January 2025, Sunday, the financial technology company Satchel.eu and the BC RYTAS, Vilnius team brought together young people with disabilities for a joyful basketball session at the “Active Vilnius” arena.
We — young people with disabilities from the association “Mirabilia” and our families — were among the participants of this special masterclass training.
Together Against Exclusion
This event, titled “Together Against Exclusion”, continues the long-standing partnership between Satchel and Rytas. Both organizations actively work in the field of social responsibility and share the same values: although we are different, we all belong to one community, and real inclusion is created through concrete actions.
The Sunday afternoon on the basketball court brought joy to everyone: Rytas coaches led the activities, and we actively joined the game together with the Rytas players.
According to Satchel CEO Sergiy Barybin, it is extremely important that as many businesses as possible provide financial support for people with disabilities — but equally important is shared time and attention.
“This is just one day in our lives, but I believe that for everyone with whom we spent time during this basketball training, it will remain a good memory and a feeling of togetherness. Exclusion is reduced when we seek connection, not when we wait for opportunities that may never come on their own. For us, this was a warm and meaningful experience.”
The director of BC Rytas Vilnius, Jaroslav Latušinskij, said:
“A day like this reminds us that basketball and teamwork are more than just a game. Sport becomes a reason to create special moments, strengthen mutual connections, and celebrate togetherness. We are glad, together with our partners, to be able to give smiles and our time to people who truly need it.”
A Lack of Leisure Activities in Lithuania
For young people in Lithuania — especially those with severe disabilities — there is a serious lack of leisure activities. There are many reasons: accessibility barriers, financial difficulties, but most of all, the still pervasive social exclusion. Events like this show that including a person with a disability is not difficult when there is genuine willingness.
For us, these were two hours of pure joy, for which we thank Satchel.eu and BC RYTAS, Vilnius.
A special thank-you to Kristina Laurinaitytė, representative of Satchel.eu.
We also thank VšĮ Angelo sparnai for covering transportation costs.
And for capturing the beautiful moments — thank you @Inga.PhotoArt and Indrė Cibulskaitė.
