AN aid organisation is determined to show children growing up in warzones that “Bournemouth and the rest of the world is with them”.
Ukraine Relief is launching a project dedicated to helping children who face the harsh realities of the war.
Karol Swiacki, founder and CEO of the Bournemouth-based charity, said: “Children are the future of the nation, and if there is no hope for the children, there is no hope for the nation.”
The project, titled ‘Children are the Future’, aims to provide schools in Ukraine with equipment to for sports, arts and games.
This includes sport kits, board games, backpacks and arts and crafts material, all funded with money raised by the charity.
Karol says he hopes the aid will help to “develop health, show love, and bring hope” to the children of Ukraine.
He said: “We have observed firsthand the impact the war is having on children’s mental and physical health.
“These children are living among the rockets, with alarms going off every day, and having to go down to the shelters – you can’t imagine living like that for such a long time.
“We have realised how important this mission is for their future.”
While the project is due to officially launch in January, Karol has already visited Ukraine to hand out the first lot of equipment.
He told the Daily Echo: “We went to 2,500 children across six schools in one visit to Ukraine.
“The children hugged us and sang to us. One of the schools we went to had 120 children with their parents. They welcomed us and sang to us – it was just so nice.
“A lot of these kids have never seen equipment like this. It was like stuff from space to them. Even the teachers were crying. It gave us a big feeling that this is what we want to do.”
“People In Ukraine have told me, ‘You have no idea how much hope you are bringing by just coming to our country with your people. Bringing the aid is one thing, but bringing your handshakes and community is amazing.’
“Sometimes knowing we are with them is more important than the aid.”
For more information, visit the Ukraine Relief website.
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