Education for 60 Ukrainian Refugee Children

When the funds dedicated to supporting Ukrainian refugees ended last year, and as most donors have withdrawn in recent months, we were faced with heartbreaking choices. Suddenly, we no longer had the means to continue the preschool programs that had become a place of learning, safety, and joy for Ukrainian children in our center.

Yet, because our town is close to the border, families with children keep arriving — tired, anxious, and still searching for safety and stability. We did our best to find places for them in public kindergartens. For some, we succeeded. For others, there simply were no available spots — even local Romanian families are struggling to find places for their children.

When we met with the parents, they spoke to us with deep emotion. They asked us, with tears in their eyes, to find any possible way to continue the preschool program. They told us how much it means to their children — to have a safe place to play, to learn, and to feel that life can be normal again. Many parents even offered to contribute small amounts so that their little ones, ages 2 to 4, could keep attending.

Starting in September, parents began contributing modestly to cover part of the salaries for our two dedicated teachers. Our organization continues to provide the space, pay for maintenance and heating, and offer all educational materials.

Sadly, we still have not been able to provide daily meals for the children. Each child brings a small packed lunch from home. Our greatest need right now is to find funding to offer them at least one warm meal a day — something that would mean so much for their health and comfort.

Every day, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., about 15 children come to our preschool group, giving their parents the chance to go to work and rebuild their lives.

We were not able to continue paying the Ukrainian teacher at the public kindergarten, as we did last year. Even so, the public kindergarten continues to welcome Ukrainian children aged 4 to 6 and prepare them for school. We are deeply grateful for this partnership, which ensures that no child’s education is interrupted at such an important stage of life.

We are sincerely thankful to all who have supported this mission. Because of you, children who fled war are still able to laugh, learn, and feel safe. Your kindness is giving them hope and a future. But the need continues — these children still depend on our care and your generosity to keep this light shining in their lives.