13 kindergartens in Ukraine received educational kits as part of the MYRP project

As part of the “Multi-Year Recovery Program for Ukraine” (MYRP), 13 kindergartens in Ukraine received educational kits. The Finnish non-governmental organization Finn Church Aid (FCA), with support from the Education Cannot Wait fund, provided 50 educational kits to kindergartens in the Odesa, Sumy, Poltava, and Dnipropetrovsk regions. A total of 4,700 units of educational and play materials were delivered, aimed at supporting the development and learning process of children amid the war.

Read more: Deputy Chief Coordinator of Médecins Sans Frontières in Ukraine Andriy Slavutskyi: Our task is to support access to decent medicine

The educational kits include construction sets, magnetic and STEM kits, board games, and other materials that help children develop logic, motor skills, and creativity through play. They not only support learning but also help children cope with emotional challenges and distract themselves from the war while in shelters.

Patricia Marushchak, regional director of Finn Church Aid in Ukraine, stated: “For many children in Ukraine, education has become the only constant and stable element in their lives altered by the war. We aim not only to help children acquire knowledge but also to support them emotionally through creative activities and play. The educational kits help them enjoy learning and feel like children again. We are proud to contribute to the restoration of education and support the most vulnerable groups of children across Ukraine.”

Particular attention in the project is given to supporting children with special educational needs and children from internally displaced families (IDPs). For example, at the “Dzyvynochok” kindergarten in the city of Romny, 9 children with special educational needs are currently enrolled, and almost all other children come from displaced families.

“These kits have been a true gift for our children,” said Larisa Zavorotko, a methodologist at the preschool institution. “The ‘Monkey Mathematician’ construction set, which helps children learn math through play, has been especially popular. It captivates our students as it combines learning with engaging tasks.”

This initiative is an important step in supporting children’s education in wartime and ensuring their emotional well-being.