Education and Empowerment Community Center
Virtually every Ukrainian child has been affected by russia’s full-scale invasion. The war has caused huge educational losses, uprooted and displaced families and subjected children to physical endangerment, trauma and even deportation. Presently, there is no organization (governmental or non-governmental) who is proposing a comprehensive, nation-wide educational and social services program to address the urgent needs of Ukraine’s most vulnerable - its children and at-risk families.
Vision
We aim to not just mitigate the impact of war on Ukraine’s most vulnerable children and families, but to help them thrive with our Education and Empowerment Community Center. Embedded in local communities, Save Ukraine Foundation’s Education and Empowerment Community Center will become the foundation for a nation-wide family, education, and social support system all under one roof. Starting with 200 Education and Empowerment Community Centers will allow this model to be integrated into the system of providing services to war victims and serve as the template that will scale to a nation-wide program in 3 to 5 years. Our long-term vision is to build 2,000 centers serving 1 million children and their families across Ukraine.
Comprehensive approach how to Save Ukraine
24/7 Hotline
7⠀Hope and Healing Centers
Education and Empowerment Center
for children and families
for children and families
Temporary housing, food, mental health recovery family services
116 Modular houses
for displaced families with children who lost their home
for displaced families with children who lost their home
Returning abducted children from russia
Evacuation from combat zones
For children and families evacuees ads returned from russia
Food, Education, Family services, Trauma therapy
About Save Ukraine Foundation
Save Ukraine Foundation is the largest family-focused humanitarian aid organization in Ukraine.
Established in 2014, Save Ukraine Foundation's mission is to protect children and families affected by war. Our activities focus on helping the most vulnerable Ukrainians: orphans, children with disabilities, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and victims of violence.
We evacuate families from the frontlines and territories temporarily occupied by russia, and we are the only aid organization that regularly organizes rescue missions to return forcibly-deported children to Ukraine. Save Ukraine Foundation unites dozens of organizations and hundreds of volunteers to help those affected by war and restore their lives.
Established in 2014, Save Ukraine Foundation's mission is to protect children and families affected by war. Our activities focus on helping the most vulnerable Ukrainians: orphans, children with disabilities, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and victims of violence.
We evacuate families from the frontlines and territories temporarily occupied by russia, and we are the only aid organization that regularly organizes rescue missions to return forcibly-deported children to Ukraine. Save Ukraine Foundation unites dozens of organizations and hundreds of volunteers to help those affected by war and restore their lives.
Impact of war on Ukrainian children
2022 - 7.1 million children (the entire child population) have been affected:
1.3 million children are located in temporarily occupied territories or have been taken by russians. They are subjected to ongoing indoctrination, re-education and intimidation to instill hatred towards Ukraine.
1.5 million refugees living abroad. Separated from their loved ones, they have lost their homes, friends, schools, and the familiarity of their daily lives.
Deprived of regular access to education: 32% - in cities, 46% - in villages.
4.3 million stay in Ukraine. Many have lost their homes and relatives, survived missile strikes, hid in basements, suffered psychological trauma and physical health issues. For 1.5 years now, families have been living in a state of war, confronting constant challenges every day.
They are considered extremely disadvantaged due to the lack of access to food, clean water, hygiene, clothing, medical care, and education
Our Work to Meet Children’s Most Urgent Needs
The war has caused huge educational losses for children. These include forced delays in teaching and learning, destruction of schools (3,570 educational institutions have suffered damage, with 341 completely destroyed), lack of on-site education, and significant restrictions to online learning. Power outages and air raids have been ongoing challenges faced by Ukrainian children since the beginning of 2022. At the same time, parents of displaced children (mostly mothers who take care of their children on their own) are unable to devote enough time to their children's education because they are job-searching and busy with day-to-day life. Unfortunately, the education system is not capable of solving these issues on its own.
In our centers, we also provide primary school children with tablets for learning under the "Smart Kids" educational software certified by the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine.
War-related trauma for children and families. 75% of children have suffered psychological trauma due to the war. One in 5 children has sleep disorders, one in 10 has a decreased desire to communicate, nightmares, and memory impairment. Three-quarters show symptoms of mental trauma. Children are completely dependent on the sense of security and closeness that adults provide, but adults also go through traumatic experiences.
In our centers, we also provide primary school children with tablets for learning under the "Smart Kids" educational software certified by the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine.
War-related trauma for children and families. 75% of children have suffered psychological trauma due to the war. One in 5 children has sleep disorders, one in 10 has a decreased desire to communicate, nightmares, and memory impairment. Three-quarters show symptoms of mental trauma. Children are completely dependent on the sense of security and closeness that adults provide, but adults also go through traumatic experiences.
The issue of reeducation and indoctrination of Ukrainian children is a deeply troubling aspect of the ongoing war. russian authorities systematically subject Ukrainian children to various forms of violence, harassment, and psychological manipulation with the aim of erasing their national identity and promoting a pro-russian, militarized perspective. This disturbing practice extends across a range of educational institutions, including kindergartens, schools, and orphanages, where the minds of young and impressionable children are particularly vulnerable. In Russian-controlled territories, the educational system has been heavily influenced by Moscow's agenda. The curricula in these regions are often designed to instill a distorted version of history and to glorify Russian military actions while desecrating Ukraine. Young minds are exposed to a skewed narrative that paints Ukraine as an aggressor, distorts historical facts, and attempts to negate the country's rich cultural and historical heritage.
In the face of such challenges, we are working tirelessly to provide psychological support and alternative educational opportunities to affected children. Our team is proactive in order to counter the harmful effects of reeducation and indoctrination by promoting critical thinking, empathy, and a balanced understanding of the complex historical and cultural realities of the locations we work in. Deprogramming is a vital and sensitive process that aims to help children who have been subjected to reeducation and indoctrination in conflict zones. To initiate this process, we create in our centers a nurturing and secure environment for the children, allowing them to feel safe and supported. This often involves a multidisciplinary approach, with the guidance of experienced psychologists who specialize in trauma recovery and child psychology. The deprogramming process recognizes that healing is a gradual journey, and patience is key. It aims to rebuild trust, restore a sense of identity, and empower children to make informed choices about their beliefs and perspectives.
Our task: to offer a path towards recovery free from the confines of indoctrination, and to ultimately contribute to a lasting peace and a brighter future for these children.
Our task: to offer a path towards recovery free from the confines of indoctrination, and to ultimately contribute to a lasting peace and a brighter future for these children.
The deported children we return from russia and russian occupied regions need professional psychological support. In addition to experiencing the horrors of war, they were subjected to psychological pressure from the aggressors and russian “special services”.
Rehabilitation measures are carefully tailored to address the unique needs of each child. These measures include individual counseling, group therapy sessions, and educational programs designed to encourage critical thinking and promote a more balanced understanding of history, current context and life perspectives. Additionally, creative therapies, such as art and play therapy, are employed to help children express their emotions and experiences.
Our task: to support children who have lived through traumatic experiences, reduce the risks of PTSD, suicide, and depression symptoms, and undo the lingering affects of russian propaganda and fear.
Rehabilitation measures are carefully tailored to address the unique needs of each child. These measures include individual counseling, group therapy sessions, and educational programs designed to encourage critical thinking and promote a more balanced understanding of history, current context and life perspectives. Additionally, creative therapies, such as art and play therapy, are employed to help children express their emotions and experiences.
Our task: to support children who have lived through traumatic experiences, reduce the risks of PTSD, suicide, and depression symptoms, and undo the lingering affects of russian propaganda and fear.
According to the UN, in 2022 about 1.6 million children were malnourished due to the war in Ukraine. There are no statistics available today, but we know that the problem of malnutrition is quite grave among children from IDP and vulnerable groups. Some IDP families struggle financially and do not have enough money to provide their children with adequate daily nutrition and hygiene products. Because of this, some children have health problems, which also affect their psychological state.
Our task: to provide children from the most vulnerable IDP families with daily hot meals and basic hygiene products.
Our task: to provide children from the most vulnerable IDP families with daily hot meals and basic hygiene products.
Project Scope – Education and Empowerment Community Centers
- Our aim is to open 200 Education and Empowerment Community Centers in support of 100 thousand of psychologically and physically traumatized Ukrainian children.
- Our goal is to provide psychological assistance and education in a safe environment for the most vulnerable children and their families affected by the war. Teachers, social workers and psychologists will work with children in the centers. Psychologists will use an individual approach and mind-body medicine techniques. Over 12 months, 100 thousand children will:
- close education gaps from time lost in school;
- improve their emotional state, reduce the risk of PTSD, suicide, and depression;
- gain access to hot meals;
- and hygiene products;
- deprogram their minds;
- and free themselves from russian propaganda;
- improve relationships with family and peers and improve their emotional well-being through therapy.
Our commitment is to create a secure environment for education, recovery, development, and empowerment. Our beneficiaries include:
- Orphaned children
- Children from families facing challenges that pose risks to their health and well-being
- Children who have lost one or both parents during the war
- Children of internally displaced persons (IDPs)
- 200 Education and Empowerment Community Centers (based in local communities, providing services for 500 children or with humanitarian, psychological and educational urgent needs annually).
- Of those two hundred 12 Region Pivotal Centers will perform extended functions (an advanced provider of social services and local consultancy point to share state of the art methodologies in social work and psychology; both working with children and families and coordinating operations of CSCs throughout the region).
- National Office (strategic planning, overseeing/coordinating the total development and operations, ensuring the quality of the services’ provision and MEAL processes, fundraising, collaboration with national and international agencies, publicity, communication and promotion).
- National Pivotal Center as a hub of excellence for the whole ecosystem. It is a dedicated division of the national office to develop and implement methodologies, best practices and programs; a developer of quality standards for the community centers, capacity builder for the social workers, teachers, volunteers and other staff in the community centers all over Ukraine; a think tank and basis for further professional development of the community centers according to the vision.
The indicative budget is attributed towards all principal components of the project and amounts to $35,071,513.
- Number of centers and geographical diversity - 200 centers in 13 regions of Ukraine
- Number of kids covered and families supported over a year – 100 000 children and their families/caregivers
- Transformation of the national system of social and educational services
Establishing a robust foundation that extends beyond the initial funding phase is our core priority. To achieve this, we will pursue a multi-pronged approach:
Firstly, our funding sources will be proactively diversified by seeking support from government grants, corporate partnerships, individual donations, and collaborations with like-minded organizations.
Additionally, income-generating activities will be integrated into the centers' operations. We plan to offer a range of affordable training programs for wider communities, thus engaging in social entrepreneurship that can contribute to covering operational costs.
Community engagement is central to our sustainability strategy. We will foster a sense of ownership and involvement among local communities, ensuring their continued support and participation in our mission.
Our commitment to staff capacity building will also remain steadfast, our national coordinating and local operating teams have proved to stay well-equipped and trained, ready to meet evolving challenges. Rigorous monitoring, evaluation, and learning processes will help us adapt and improve our services over time, maximizing their impact.
Furthermore, we will forge strong partnerships with local NGOs, government agencies, and stakeholders who share our vision. These collaborations will maintain our resources, expertise, and advocacy efforts. Compliance with all relevant legal and regulatory requirements is a non-negotiable aspect of our sustainability plan.
This approach will reduce our reliance on any single funding stream and provide a stable reputational and financial base.
Firstly, our funding sources will be proactively diversified by seeking support from government grants, corporate partnerships, individual donations, and collaborations with like-minded organizations.
Additionally, income-generating activities will be integrated into the centers' operations. We plan to offer a range of affordable training programs for wider communities, thus engaging in social entrepreneurship that can contribute to covering operational costs.
Community engagement is central to our sustainability strategy. We will foster a sense of ownership and involvement among local communities, ensuring their continued support and participation in our mission.
Our commitment to staff capacity building will also remain steadfast, our national coordinating and local operating teams have proved to stay well-equipped and trained, ready to meet evolving challenges. Rigorous monitoring, evaluation, and learning processes will help us adapt and improve our services over time, maximizing their impact.
Furthermore, we will forge strong partnerships with local NGOs, government agencies, and stakeholders who share our vision. These collaborations will maintain our resources, expertise, and advocacy efforts. Compliance with all relevant legal and regulatory requirements is a non-negotiable aspect of our sustainability plan.
This approach will reduce our reliance on any single funding stream and provide a stable reputational and financial base.
We cannot lose a generation of Ukrainian children, it is critical to protect their right to education, health, and safety – their right to a childhood. Help us stand in the gap for children today and for years to come.
Charitable Foundation, which coordinates dozens of organizations, volunteers, individuals and legal entities to help internally displaced persons
Mykola Kuleba:
Save Ukraine:
