“Dreams come true” as new centre opens for children

A wonderful change came to Polonychi, with a community centre opened so our children’s activities there can now be state-funded. In same week we saw the devastating missile strikes on civilians in Lviv and how this can be terrifying for children. With our activities we build up children’s resilience and encourage them to thrive.

“This centre opening is proof that dreams can come true”, is what Roman Furda, the Head of Krasne Council, said at the launch of the new community centre in the isolated village of Polonychi. Care in Action started funding dance and kickboxing activities for 115 children in 4 villages in November, and now with the equipment we’ve funded and a community effort to raise additional funds, this village qualifies for state funding to keep the activities going.

“I don’t think you know what a significant change this is for our community.” – Eduard Martsinyak, Village Head

In Polonychi over the last years we’ve connected vulnerable children with sponsors, delivered food when children were sent home from orphanages, helped families who wanted to stay together, and brought our Together child development activities. So it is a privilege to also help to open the new centre.

The children put on a wonderful show which they practiced in their weekly classes. There were dances, songs, a poem recital… and the kickboxing team showed some of the moves which have already won them awards in regional competitions. You could easily see how much the children enjoyed performing for their parents and the Council representatives, and being able to catch glimpses of themselves in the mirrors which were part of the equipment we funded.

 

The creation of this centre has also enabled the first ever provision of pre-school care and education. A mini-library is available for children. And a room will be renovated so that mobile clinics can bring medical care into the village for the first time.

Village volunteers put in many hours and worked late into the night to turn the old building into a beautiful and multi-functional space, with art and design features that were a credit to their creativity. And there are ideas still in the works, to introduce English lessons, build a play ground and have a weekly board games event which includes elderly people.

The centre for the whole community was aptly named “Chornobryvtsi” (Marigold), a flower which is associated in Ukraine with beauty, strength of spirit and love for homeland. Local parents contributed money, time and materials, and Help Us Help Ukraine, Path to Change and the Hungarian Service of Help joined us to fund the set up.

We greatly appreciate each and every donation, which makes it possible for us to bring lasting change for children. We hope this centre and the children’s activities we continue to sponsor in the region will inspire change in other communities too.

All donations are welcome as we work to protect children and their future, and to replace the windows that were broken by the missile strike for a vulnerable family with 5 children who are connected to our projects.

Thank you for supporting children in Ukraine.