By Kristina Danilenko

According to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), “over 400,000 young children — 47% of all children aged 1 to 6 — lack access to in-person early childhood education (ECE).”

The impact of the war perpetuated by russia on Ukraine’s education system cannot be overstated: school closures, limited access to devices and internet connectivity, coupled with the endurance of brutal attacks and destruction, has left 83% of young children in Ukraine increasingly vulnerable to mental health issues characterized by reduced social interactions, lower self-esteem, and constant stress due to violence.

More than 1,300 schools have been completely destroyed by russian bombardments. One in five children attend school exclusively online, yet regular power outages throughout Ukraine — with some regions lacking electricity for over 10 hours per day — warn that studying remotely will become even more challenging for students this year. Though refusing to admit it, russia has blatantly demonstrated that educational institutions are indeed military targets, and the aggressor aims to hinder the development of Ukraine’s future generation.

From the beginning of the war and throughout the countless challenges it has presented to young students, Nova Ukraine has been committed to instituting diverse educational programs in order to support children in their pursuit of knowledge. Since 2014, we have funded numerous STEM-based classes, summer camps, and projects in which children can learn and collaborate. 

In 2023 alone, Nova Ukraine allotted $600,000 for such initiatives, and we continue to support these programs so students may build connections with each other as they learn. An additional major initiative Nova Ukraine actively pursued with the support of the Howard G. Buffet Foundation included the opening of 50 learning centers that gave students increased access to educational opportunities, stationary supplies, electronic devices such as laptops, and social interaction with their peers.

Nova Ukraine is currently organizing two additional projects to provide maximum support to Ukrainian students as we approach the beginning of the school year. The first includes our partnership with Dobrobat in the construction of a bomb shelter capable of providing safety for approximately 1,300 students, allowing them to pursue their education with reduced danger from russian strikes.

Through this infrastructure project, our ultimate goal is to provide students with the feeling of a traditional classroom environment without intense worries of air raids and evacuation protocols. 

Our second project in the works involves the installation of a ventilation system at a boarding school in Mykolaiv. This critical procedure will accommodate the health and safety of over 500 students along with internally displaced persons residing at the school. As with the building of the bomb shelter in Mykolaiv, we aim to provide children the chance to experience a sense of normalcy and increased safety despite the aimless destruction brought about by the war.

The projects described above only scratch the surface of Nova Ukraine’s past accomplishments in supporting Ukraine’s educational system, along with the initiatives we envision for the future. Education is a vital component of rebuilding the country and allowing Ukraine to develop as a free, innovative nation. 

There will come a time when Ukrainian students and children will no longer have to fear countless air raids, and will be able to pursue their educational ambitions without the debilitating stress of war. Until then, Nova Ukraine will remain committed to providing support for these educational programs and opportunities.

We kindly urge you to support Nova Ukraine’s vision and goals of providing Ukrainian students with a safe space to learn and grow as the war continues, especially during this critical juncture of an approaching school year. Help us plan accordingly for our students and sustain our current educational initiatives with maximum support.

We greatly value your support, and it is indeed crucial. Please consider donating monthly. Your consistent contributions are vital to sustaining our efforts and driving meaningful change over time. Your commitment will make a lasting difference, and we sincerely appreciate your consideration. Donate now or learn how you can help.