A week under a peaceful sky, without bombs

This is the title of a week-long series of educational and recreational activities organised for children from the town of Marhanets who are participating in our new SKOLA+ project. The event took place from 21-27 July 2024.

Marhanets is located in southern Ukraine, not far from the frontline. The children living there are unable to do everyday activities such as going to school offline or playing sports. At first, it was due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and 2.5 years ago, russia deprived us of a peaceful, safe and free life.

We created this project so that nine wonderful children, together with their talented teacher, could spend an intense week in the most peaceful part of Ukraine - Zakarpattia. So that at least this week the children could live their happy childhood that was robbed from them. Having travelled almost 2000 km, they had the opportunity to enjoy a programme full of exciting and varied events:

1. Dinner together with Nobel Prize winner, Professor Ferenc Krausz and the head of the Batyovo community on the day of arrival;
2. Excursion to the local lyceum, where children participated in interesting lessons, conducted physical and chemical experiments, listened to a lecture on history and studied geography;
3. Participation in a volleyball training session led by the best coach of our SPORT+ programme;
4. Entertainment programme in the largest water park in Transcarpathia;
5. Hike to the lake with local youth and activists;
6. Art therapy at the Zdybanka Youth Centre;
7. Excursion to Uzhhorod Castle.

This week gave the children the opportunity to learn about local culture and traditions, to find new friends and to receive positive energy.

For us, this week was a vivid confirmation that the goals, principles and values we set for our organisations are correct. For children living in close proximity to the frontline, it is invaluable to know that they are not alone, that many people see and hear them, that many believe in them and fight with them for a common and free future in an independent country. And this is just the beginning.