A whole new world for Ukraine's children: Making new friends and learning new language

Displaced children from eastern Ukraine have formed new friendships and found new home in Chernivtsi City. They are among the 4.1 million children severely impacted by the ongoing war in Ukraine and who have left their homes, friends, schools and playgrounds.

World Vision and partner Arms of Mercy (AoM) has provided the children a place to play, do creative activities and learn new skills. Through the support of Australian Humanitarian Partnership (AHP), more than one hundred displaced children attend the three day-care centres in Chernitvi Oblast.

Since the war started, children are attending online classes and are deprived of the social interactions and connections with their classmates and teachers. “We want to provide children a safe place where they can relax after their online classes, interact with one another and have good times,” Nataliia, one of the four teachers explained.

“I like coming here after my online classes. I have new friends. We sing, dance and play, and most of all, they teach us English language”, 12-year-old Timur from Odesa city shared his eyes lit with excitement. The classes and activities are designed to make learning easier and fun.

“We make sure we are not adding burden to the children because online classes can be tough for them,” Nataliia said. “I use creative and entertaining ways of teaching - like games, role playing and videos to make lessons interactive and exciting for the children.

They are taking care of us all. We are excited to study English because it will be useful for us.

Their interest to learn is perked”, Nataliia added. Alena from Luhansk shared she felt homesick but being with other children makes her happy. “The teachers here are kind. They always ask us how we are doing and if something bothering us."

"They are taking care of us all. We are excited to study English because it will be useful for us,” Alena said. The war has forced the children to flee, but the war cannot stop them from having dreams.

“I want to be a computer programmer, so I need to be good in English. I should learn how to speak, read and write in English,” Timur said. Apart from attending regular school, Alena was studying in art school before the war. She draws and paints still life and landscapes.

“I want to be an artist or an actress,” said the fourteen-year-old girl. “Our partnership with World Vison has enabled us to respond to the needs of the Ukrainian children who have suffered much. Helping and protecting them is an important aspect of our work as partners,” shared Kseniia Rudenko, AoM’s Protection Coordinator.

World Vision has supported 515,985 children through various learning opportunities and continuity of their education, protection, mental health and psychosocial support programs, cash assistance for education, health, and winterization kits.

Overall, World Vision has reached 1,074,234 refugees, internally displaced persons and host communities in Ukraine, Romania, Moldova and Georgia through the support of its donors and partner organizations.

Download our latest situation report.

Story and photos by Leoniza Morales, Communications Specialist