Four new creative spaces for children

Every month 400 children are using creative spaces that Care in Action helped to equip in 2024. Four centres were renovated, transforming large, unused rooms in community-owned buildings into vibrant hubs for after-school activities. These new clubs are filled with children engaging in activities that enhance their wellbeing and education. In times of war, these emotional support and personal growth opportunities are especially vital.

Each centre launched new regular activities for children, often including dance, art and singing. Thanks to the upgraded facilities, local partners can now qualify for state funding, ensuring these programs are sustainable. The centres also serve as venues for cultural celebrations and community events - like movie nights and book clubs - that reach hundreds more children.

“We are sincerely grateful to the sponsor that during times of war we have support like this.” – Dasha and Natalya, internally displaced children who attend clubs at Kaleidoscope

Four centres launched in 2024, making free activities available for children:

• "Kaleidoscope” in Andriivka - 209 children in 10 groups and clubs
• “Wings” in Radekhiv - 70 children in 4 groups and clubs - including therapy for children with special needs
• "Atmosphere” in Berezdivtsi - 45 children in 3 groups and clubs
• “Dreamland” in Noviy Rozdil - 70 children in 7 groups and clubs

We carefully selected communities where there was a lack of services and a high number of disadvantaged children, especially those who are parentless, displaced or living in poverty. Working with local communities, we assessed needs and opportunities, and built partnerships with people and organisations who had both the motivation and the capability to sustain these efforts. Agreements with local government secured the use of spaces and equipment for children's activities for at least three or five years.

Spotlight on Andriivka: “Kaleidoscope” Centre

The largest new centre is in Andriivka, 60 km from Lviv. It’s located in a community-owned building that had been empty for decades. The local government had begun some renovations but had limited resources. When we saw they had created a small library that was actively used—thanks to an inspirational librarian who sourced second-hand books and engaged with children—we recognised their commitment to children’s services.

Now 209 children are attending 10 regular activity groups, including karate, singing, and board game nights. Activities began in April and the full renovation was completed in September. These vibrant spaces are also used for cultural events that unite families, whether in joyful celebrations like Christmas or somber moments of remembrance for fallen soldiers.

See pictures and activities from Andriivka in their social media

2024 Highlights

• Children are joining competitions, winning prizes and excelling in arts and sports from all five interactive spaces, including Chornobrivtsi which opened in 2023.
• New partnerships were formed with social services, child protection services, and local government in three communities, enabling further Care in Action support.
• Art therapy was introduced in Andriivka and is very popular.
• Community spaces are socially vibrant with fairs and cultural events. Young people are volunteering in initiatives for ecology, care for animals, and carolling for wounded soldiers.
• The Wings centre launched a neurobics club for children with disabilities, which is one of a kind in the Lviv communities that we work in.

Every centre is actively used, with good reason to believe that the benefits for children will be long-lasting. And impact is growing - now 530 children regularly attend the five centres!

Children are learning, building skills and connecting with a supportive community. These services and spaces are changing the community landscape - and none of this would have been possible without our donors and grants from Germany. Thank you!

Thank you to every donor who supports our work and makes these transformations possible!