Children in Borodyanka, Ukraine, welcomed the end of summer and Ukraine’s Independence Day in a newly built kindergarten. The project to equip kindergarten, which will welcome around 120 children, was implemented by the Central Project Management Agency (CPVA) and financed by Lithuania and Taiwan, which contributed €500,000 to the project.
According to the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, around 3000 schools and kindergartens in Ukraine have been damaged or destroyed since the start of the war. The kindergarten “Pinokis” is one of three kindergartens in Borodyanka that were destroyed by Russian attacks.
According to the kindergarten’s director Iryna Nosova, the kindergarten was one that was damaged by Russian attacks in the beginning of March, 2022. It was covered in smoke, dust, the windows were broken, the trees were uprooted and everything inside, like toys, furniture and doors were shattered and mixed with glass – it was impossible for anyone to attend the premises.
“We had to operate in another kindergarten where we could only accommodate four groups. Parents were calling us, but we had to turn them down, especially those with very young children, because we had neither the space nor the equipment to accomodate them. Parents were eagerly waiting for our kindergarten to reopen, as some had attended it themselves as children. Parents even register newborns to eventually attend this kindergaten. When I posted a small announcement on social media that the kindergarten was reopening, many couldn’t believe that it was actually true. The news is spreading through the town by word of mouth,“ said I. Nosova.
The opening ceremony of the kindergarten, which took place on Ukraine’s Independence Day, was attended by the local community, the children and their parents, Borodyanka’s mayor Iryna Zakharchenko and Lithuania’s vice-minister of Foreign Affairs Simonas Šatūnas.
“The rebuilt kindergarten symbolizes Ukraine’s resolute journey forward into the future. I am pleased that Ukraine has so many different partners helping it on this path. We will continue to do our utmost to ensure that children grow up and live in a free and secure Ukraine,” said S. Šatūnas.
Investing in the future by rebuilding educational infrastructure
“Pinokis” was reconstructed with funds from the Hope Foundation, a US NGO, but in order to resume a smooth educational process, it was necessary to repair its outdoor infrastructure and equip it with the necessary equipment. The project also included the improvement of the kindergarten’s outdoor environment, the construction of playgrounds with paths and pergolas, and the provision of all the necessary furniture and equipment, such as tables, gym furniture, kitchen and gym equipment, as well as play areas. The kindergarten is now ready for the in-person educational process and the staff and pupils have returned to the kindergarten, where they will continue their education in the Borodyanka School “Lithuanian-Ukrainian Lyceum No. 1.”, which was also renovated using funds allocated by Lithuania.
Constance Wang, head of the Taiwanese Representative office in Lithuania, said that, “For the people of Taiwan, children symbolize hope and the future. This belief drives our continued collaboration with Lithuania in rebuilding Ukraine’s fundamental educational infrastructure. We are convinced that through these efforts, even in the midst of war, Ukrainian children can receive education in a safer environment, providing their parents with a sense of security. This initiative, carried out in partnership with the U.S. NGO Hope Foundation, Lithuanian Central Project Management Agency, and Taiwan, reflects Taiwan’s commitment and capacity to make meaningful contributions to the international community with our democratic partners. We are dedicated to providing humanitarian aid and assisting in the reconstruction of Ukraine.”
According to Artūras Žarnovskis, head of the “Co-Create Future of Ukraine” programme, life in Ukraine has not come to a stop even in the face of war. For this reason, while children seeking education in Ukraine face particularly dire situations, it is important to make every effort to ensure that they also have the opportunity to experience as normal a childhood as possible – to attend kindergartens and schools where they not only learn, but also socialise and foster relationships with their peers. A. Žarnovskis continued that the kindergarten is not only a building, but also a symbol of hope, the country’s investment in a bright future.
“Education is the foundation of a strong, resilient state – the fact that a country that’s constantly under attack is rebuilding kindergartens demonstrates its determination and its faith in victory, because Ukraine’s reconstruction after the victory will also depend on the new generation. Education is one of our top priorities in the context of Ukraine’s recovery projects – we have previously rebuilt a kindergarten with a shelter in Irpin, we are now implementing a new programme of building five shelters next to schools near the frontline, and we are selecting the winner of the international architectural competition “Future School for Ukraine”, whose adaptive technical design will be available to the Ukrainian authorities and other international partners involved in reconstruction processes in the country. We are happy that our efforts are turning into real results – the children of Borodyanka will be able to attend the kindergarten again,” explained Artūras Žarnovskis.
Lithuania finances reconstruction projects in Ukraine through the Fund for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid, which has also financed the reconstruction of a kindergarten with a shelter in Irpin, the reconstruction of a lyceum and the construction of a new underground shelter in Borodyanka, the international architectural competition “Future School for Ukraine”, the construction of five new shelters for schools near the frontline, and other recovery initiatives.
