Despite the war and difficult circumstances, Ukrainian communities find the time and strength to unite for the most important thing – supporting children. Here are a few stories that prove it.
Children from the Chasovoyarsk community, who now live in Kremenchuk, visited the New Year holidays, received gifts and felt real care. Because a sense of security and a normal childhood is important. The Kremenchuk community has once again shown: there are no such things as strangers’ children.
Children from the city of Chkalove in the Kharkiv region spent Christmas in Lviv. The Lviv branch of the European University joined the national project “Side by Side: United Communities”.
For the little ones, a walk around the city was organized, an introduction to history and culture, and a trip to the world of Ukrainian traditions in an open-air museum. It was a time of discoveries, new impressions and warmth, which is so lacking in frontline regions.
Children and mentors from Zaporizhia, Kharkiv and Sumy regions visited families of the Novoyavoriv community.
Young residents of the Vasylivka, Savynka and Krolevets communities settled in families of the villages of Pidluby, Berdykhiv, Ternovytsia, Cholhyny, Prylbychy and Muzhylovychi.
The guests skated on the ice rink, visited sports facilities, got acquainted with youth initiatives and even sang carols together. A special moment was the Divine Liturgy in the church of the village of Berdykhiv. Such trips are about a real home and lively communication.
Students of the lyceum of the Krasnopil community of the Sumy region visited Transcarpathia. The Solotvyn village council prepared master classes, discussions, excursions, concerts and meetings with active youth for them. The trip gave not only new knowledge, but also faith in oneself, in support, and the conviction that in difficult times the whole country is there for one another.
These stories are from different parts of Ukraine. But they have a common meaning: communities stick together, support children, and build the future – even in times of war.