A children’s hub in a bomb shelter

We helped to create a beautiful space for children which serves not just as a bomb shelter in a school, where classes can continue and children feel secure, but as a creative hub where children enjoy spending time. It is great to see how it has been used since start up in August 2022, as it has also enabled many cultural events for the community.

With the generous support of donors in 2022 we were able to help children in many new communities to mitigate the negative effects of war. In Krasne (Lviv Region), as in other communities, we work with Social Services and local partners so our aid is efficient and long lasting. To transform the bomb shelter we paid for renovations and equipment. Local companies and people helped too, including internally displaced people who live in the school hall. Yulia Khovstiak, the Head of Social Services for Krasne Territorial Community, reported:

“The purpose of our project was to create a safe, modern, and interesting space for children and young people to effectively use their time. The goal was achieved, because the bomb shelter has become a place where children and adults like to come. There you can forget about everything and watch a movie with popcorn, sing karaoke or guitar with friends, demonstrate your abilities, communicate and learn a lot of new things. This is a place where you want to come again and again. Not only during air alarms!

Key achievements:

1. Children have a nice place that serves as a bomb shelter but also as a creative hub
2. Teachers can continue to have classes even if there are air raid sirens
3. There is an open space for volunteers or people who want to organize events in Krasne, but don't have a venue

The range of cultural events is wonderful to see: a literary competition, Ukrainian folk song festivals, Children’s Day events, cultural film viewings, and even jewelry workshops.

What do the children say?

"The shelter is very good because we live in the school building and it's easy for us to go down there and feel safe. Also, the shelter has a beautiful interior. There I can play games, read a book, watch a film, eat delicious popcorn, sing and just relax." – Nadezhda, 13 years old, internally displaced girl

Mikhail is 14 years old and also left his home due to war so lives and goes to school above the shelter. He says the shelter gives him a sense of security. He wrote:

"At the hub, interesting programs are held for us and there you can find new friends and meet many people.”

It is wonderful to see donations to Care in Action result in children feeling secure, continuing their studies and developing their interests during these terrible times of war. We would like to acknowledge our local partners in this project: the Social Service, Village Council and Department of Education in Krasne, and the Charitable Foundation "The Path to Change".

Every donation to Care in Action is greatly appreciated, and carefully used to help children. Thank you for your support!