On September 1, the "Day of Knowledge" in Ukraine, the new academic year began, with schools and kindergartens we support opening their doors to thousands of kids. As they do every year, the children came dressed in new clothes, carrying bouquets of flowers for their teachers. When the students and their parents arrived at the Simcha Chabad schoolhouse in Kyiv, they were immediately reminded of the ongoing crisis. The night before, air attacks on the city left shrapnel all around the school.
Security staff and maintenance workers were busy making sure the building and grounds were safe for the children. In addition, due to the ongoing widespread power outages, students were provided reflector bands to wear in the evening when they walk on the dark sidewalks and cross the streets.
We hope and pray that very soon children in Ukraine will learn in classrooms and not bomb shelters, and that displaced families will return to their homes. In the meantime, we will do everything we can to help the children learn, develop, and thrive, supporting their physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.
With your help, we continue to save lives and restore hope.
