The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS)
"A true symbol of community resilience"
When a Ukrainian kindergarten was destroyed during the ongoing war, local children lost a crucial space to learn and play. Now, the restored facility has begun to fill with life again – and is helping a community return to a sense of stability.
Photos
- © UNOPS/Yurii Veres
In the village of Zahaltsi, the local kindergarten was filled with children’s laughter and served as a space for community life.
That changed in February 2022 when Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
From the very first days of the war, the school’s basement was transformed into a shelter for village residents.
At the beginning of the war, almost the entire community took shelter in our basement. We welcomed everyone, offered tea, and helped them settle in. The kindergarten quickly became a true symbol of resilience for our community.
Soon after, Russian military personnel took over the kindergarten’s basement and used it as a base – leaving behind damaged furniture, destroyed equipment and looted premises when they left several weeks later.
An airstrike that hit the school on 7 March 2022 caused even more severe damage.
To help Zahaltsi's children – and children from neighbouring communities – once again access a quality education in a safe environment, UNOPS repaired the damaged kindergarten as part of the European Union-funded School Repairs in Ukraine project.
"Children absolutely need to attend kindergarten, as it is essential both for their development and for their socialization," says Liudmyla.
The work included a full renovation of the school's premises, as well as the procurement of essential furniture, creating a comfortable space for children to learn and play.
The basement was also fully restored and is now used as a safe space during air raids.
Gradually, the kindergarten has begun to fill with life again. Now, children’s voices can once again be heard in the corridors, their daily routine now filled with learning and playing.
For Zahaltsi, the kindergarten is more than a restored educational space – it's also a symbol of a gradual return to community life.
About the project
The Schools Repairs in Ukraine project, funded by the European Union and implemented by UNOPS, aims to repair educational facilities that have been damaged during the ongoing war in Ukraine. This $30 million initiative is being implemented in the regions of Chernihiv, Kyiv, Sumy and Kharkiv, focusing on schools requiring light to medium repair work.
The primary objective of the project is to provide access to repaired school facilities, which will increase the proportion of children receiving face-to-face education. By rehabilitating more than 70 schools, the project will help restore facilities to a safe and welcoming environment where children can continue their education without interruption.
Global Goal we are supporting through this initiative:
