Education for 60 Ukrainian Refugee Children

The preschool educational program at our centers in Galati and Braila continued uninterrupted during the summer vacation. The children enjoyed a variety of activities, including playtime, learning interesting new things, crafts, and storytelling. Additionally, they participated in two hours of Romanian language lessons per week, helping them build their language skills. For children whose refugee parents are employed, extended hours until 4 PM were offered, providing significant support to working parents.

Until September, we maintained three groups of Ukrainian preschool children, serving 40-50 beneficiaries each month. In September, several changes were implemented. We successfully integrated more refugee children into state schools and kindergartens, as recent legislative changes encourage the inclusion of refugee children in the public education system. In Galati, we established a partnership with a state kindergarten where we integrated seven Ukrainian children, and our organization provides a Ukrainian support educator to assist them in adapting to their new environment.

At our center, we now host only one group of younger preschoolers (aged 2-3 years), taught in Ukrainian by two educators. This is because educational programs for children this young are scarce even for Romanian children, making it challenging to integrate all Ukrainian children into state kindergartens and nurseries. In addition to attentive care and an educational program, these children receive a hot meal daily.

The younger children are making visible progress in areas such as independence from parents, speech development, and cognitive growth. These milestones are crucial in building their confidence and laying the foundation for their future education.

Celebrating Autumn- Building Bonds Between Ukrainian and Romanian Preschoolers

The reopening of the new school year was celebrated in a festive and joyful atmosphere, with parents joining their children to mark this important milestone. It was a heartwarming occasion that symbolized not only a new beginning for the children but also the strength of community and collaboration between families and educators.

In October, beyond the regular activities of our two preschool groups, we organized two special events at our center in collaboration with our partners from Kindergarten No. 64. These events were designed to celebrate cultural diversity, foster friendships, and provide children with memorable experiences that nurture both their emotional and social development.

The Fall Carnival brought together Ukrainian and Romanian children from the younger preschool group (ages 2-3) to celebrate the beauty of the autumn season. The event featured vibrant costumes, seasonal crafts, and group activities that encouraged creativity and teamwork. Children laughed, played, and explored fall themes through engaging sensory experiences, and building connections despite language or cultural differences. The sight of Ukrainian and Romanian children celebrating side by side highlighted the success of our efforts to create an inclusive and welcoming environment.

For the older preschool group (ages 4-5), we organized a delightful cooking activity where the children, guided by our staff, prepared traditional Ukrainian pies. This hands-on event not only introduced Romanian children to a taste of Ukrainian culture but also allowed the Ukrainian children to share a part of their heritage. The process of making pies together fostered teamwork and pride, while the delicious outcome brought smiles to everyone’s faces. Parents and educators alike noted how these activities helped the children feel more connected and engaged, creating a sense of belonging and mutual respect.

Both events were a resounding success, reinforcing our mission to promote cultural understanding and support the integration of Ukrainian refugee children into the host community. Through shared celebrations and collaborative activities, the children build lasting bonds and develop a sense of security and joy in their new environment. These moments of togetherness remind us of the power of inclusion and the importance of creating spaces where every child feels valued and supported.

Unfortunately, the war in Ukraine continues, with ongoing bombings affecting many regions. Prolonged periods without electricity, heating, and water in affected areas force mothers with young children to seek safety and better living conditions in neighboring countries, particularly as the colder months begin. This ongoing situation highlights the continued need for programs like ours to support refugee families during these challenging times.

Links:

• Kindergarten activities
• First day of kindergarten event