Our crisis intervention team is currently assisting in the Chernihiv region in northern Ukraine, where it is preparing a plan for the reconstruction of vocational and kindergarten schools damaged by the war.

We met with local government officials in Chernihiv who identified the facilities where help is most needed. With our expert team, we carried out on-site technical assessments and determined the scope of work needed. The next step will be preliminary costing and preparation of documents for the selection of contractors.

 

In kindergartens, the main problem is damaged windows. During the attacks, many windows were broken and staff initially tried to secure them with boards. Later, when possible, they temporarily replaced the boards with glass so that the children could return to their classrooms. However, both the wooden frames and the glass are in very poor condition and often cannot even hold the temporary glazing. Many of the windows cannot even be opened anymore.

 

In the vocational school, the explosions mainly damaged the roof, which is completely leaking. The school kitchen and canteen remained out of service. When we went up to the roof of the school, we picked up a handful of splinters that caused this destruction.

 

In addition, we visited several shelters in the basements of schools, where children have to move every time there is an alarm, sometimes several times a day. In these facilities it is necessary to provide fire doors, emergency toilets, ventilation, drinking water, seating. Teachers try to make these basements as neat as possible to make the children feel safe and comfortable. In some cases, it actually looks like an underground school.

 

„An unforgettable experience? Seeing educational aids, games and children's books in kindergarten that playfully explain to children how to behave if they come across a minefield or unexploded ordnance. I would never want my little granddaughter to have to deal with such things in kindergarten,“ writes Stano Bielik, Director of ADRA Slovakia.

 

Today we are leaving the city, but the teachers and children are staying. We realized how dedicated this group of educators is. They stayed in difficult circumstances to care for children and provide them with a childhood even in times of war.

 

The project to reconstruct war-damaged schools and kindergartens is supported by Taiwan through Pontis Foundation.

 

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