Themes by tag: children
As part of the “St. Nicholas for Children in Need” campaign, the Maltese Relief Service has received more than 2,000 heartfelt letters from children across Ukraine. The letters come from children with disabilities, those who lost their parents to the war, whose parents are held in captivity, and children facing difficult life circumstances or without parental care.
In many of the letters, children ask St. Nicholas for peace and victory for Ukraine. Some requests are deeply personal—a child wishes for their father to receive a new leg, while another hopes their mother will return from captivity. Others even express concern for the saint’s safety, warning him to be careful amid the missile attacks. Alongside these touching pleas, children also ask for traditional gifts such as toys, scooters, and bicycles.
The letters are sorted by benefactors, who fulfill the children’s wishes by delivering gifts to the Maltese Relief Service’s office, which serves as St. Nicholas’ residence for the campaign’s duration.
Volunteers are now completing the final stages of gift packing. Deliveries have already begun, with gifts sent to locations in the Lviv and Kharkiv regions. The main distribution events will take place from December 2 to 7.
Journalists are invited to cover the gift distribution in Lviv and surrounding areas and can also meet with St. Nicholas’ helpers to learn more about the campaign.
As St. Nicholas Day approaches on December 6, branches of the Voices of Children Charity Foundation are preparing a series of engaging events for children across Ukraine. Journalists are invited to cover these festive activities, which include creative workshops, interactive quests, and even stand-up performances filled with Christmas stories.
Here’s a look at the upcoming events:
– Kyiv (December 3): A creative activity session on painting plaster figures;
– Lviv (December 4): A children’s entertainment event, organized in partnership with local groups;
– Dnipro (December 4): Handicraft-making for gifts (ages 6+), including drawing dreams for St. Nicholas;
– December 6: Teen stand-up show featuring Christmas tales, along with a costume contest, drawing session, and quest;
– Kryvyi Rih, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast (December 6): St. Nicholas School of Detectives quest;
– Mykolaiv (December 7): A master class on crafting gingerbread with air clay;
– Truskavets, Lviv Oblast (December 7): Games and lectures on holiday traditions;
– Vysokyi, Kharkiv Oblast (December 6): A special children’s quest;
– Kharkiv (December 6): St. Nicholas’ Magic Workshop focused on creating festive decorations;
– On December 4 mobile teams will host events in Chuhuiv and in nearby villages on December 6;
– Zaporizhia (December 4): St. Nicholas Day Winter Extravaganza featuring dancing and a festive party;
– December 6: Games and activities in “Adventures on St. Nicholas Day”;
– Chernihiv (December 6): “St. Nicholas Bag” charity campaign.
These events offer children an opportunity to experience the magic of the holiday season, creating lasting memories while embracing the spirit of St. Nicholas. Journalists are encouraged to attend and share the joy of these celebrations.
On December 6, the Neopolis amusement park, located in the Respublika Park shopping mall, will host a heartwarming charity event for 200 children impacted by the war. These children, rescued through the efforts of the Save Ukraine charity organization, will experience a day filled with joy, care, and festive cheer.
The event’s program offers:
– Interactive entertainment with animators dedicated to creating a joyful and supportive atmosphere;
– Gift distribution near the mall’s grand Christmas tree, marking the celebration’s bright conclusion.
Each child will receive a personalized gift, made possible by the NGO “Ukraine is a Mother” through its “Bridge of Support” project.
This gathering is more than a festive celebration—it’s an opportunity for children who have endured unimaginable hardships to feel embraced by a community of support and hope, empowering them to dream again.
Journalists wishing to cover the event must obtain accreditation.
At just 17, Dmytro Slobodianyk is making a difference far beyond his school in Ukraine’s Vinnytsia region. During his free time, the high school student designs and builds essential devices for the Ukrainian military, including FPV drones, charging stations, and power banks. His volunteer journey began at the outset of russia’s full-scale invasion, starting with periscopes before advancing to more complex technologies like soldering charging stations using online schematics.
Dmytro’s passion for innovation didn’t stop there. He taught himself to build drones and custom batteries, recently delving into inverters—devices that convert car battery power into a stable voltage for operating equipment such as Starlink terminals and walkie-talkies.
To create these devices, Dmytro prints some components on a 3D printer and purchases others through donated funds. His dedication has already resulted in three inverters being sent to the front lines, with three more in production. The young inventor proudly notes the positive feedback he’s received from soldiers.
For those interested in meeting or speaking with Dmytro, he is available both online and in person by appointment in the Vinnytsia Oblast.
On November 20, the Media Center Ukraine will hold the event “Childhood in Captivity: How to Protect the Rights of Children in the Occupied Territories”.
Topics for discussion:
– What is the current state of children’s rights in the occupied territories?
– What is it like to grow up under occupation?
– What are the challenges of monitoring violations of children’s rights in the occupied territories?
– What can Ukrainian and international institutions do to protect children’s rights in the occupied territories?
– What are the prospects for bringing to justice those involved in crimes against children under occupation?
Participants:
– Mariia Sulialina, Director of the Almenda Center for Civic Education;
– Ilias Sheikhisliamov, son of a political prisoner, public figure, member of the NGO “Crimean Tatars of Odesa Region”;
– Noel Calhoun, Deputy Head of the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine;
– Arman Akopian – Deputy Director of the Department and Head of the Unit for Children in Wartime, Department for Monitoring the Observance of Children’s Rights at the Secretariat of the Human Rights Commissioner of the Parliament of Ukraine;
– Yulia Usenko, Head of the Department for the Protection of Children’s Rights and Combating Domestic Violence of the Prosecutor General’s Office;
Background: November 20 marks the 35th anniversary of the signing of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. The adoption of this document was an important step in ensuring fundamental rights for every child. In particular, Article 29 states that a child’s education should be aimed at fostering respect for the child’s parents, cultural identity, language and national values of the country in which the child lives and the country of origin.
Despite the fact that the russian federation has ratified the Convention, thus committing itself to comply with its provisions and ensure children’s rights in accordance with international standards, russia systematically violates children’s rights. Children living in the occupied territories are in a particularly vulnerable situation, as they are victims of targeted indoctrination, militarization and erasure of identity.
russia has illicitly abducted more than 20,000 Ukrainian children since the start of its full-blown war, with another 1.5 million at risk of deportation from temporarily occupied territories. Many of these children have had their personal data altered, making it nearly impossible for their families or homeland to locate and reclaim them.
Save Ukraine, a non-governmental organization, has been at the forefront of efforts to bring Ukrainian children home. Through carefully coordinated and regular rescue operations, the organization has successfully returned 538 children to date.
Journalists are invited to reach out to Save Ukraine for comments and further insights into their ongoing efforts.
Violetta and Oleh Nahornyi spent their lives in Vinnytsia, where Oleh worked in the building materials business and Violetta taught voice lessons. Together, they raised three children—a son and two daughters. Their peaceful life was shattered by the onset of the full-scale invasion, which destroyed their sense of security and shattered their plans for the future.
On the very first day of the all-out invasion, Oleh enlisted in the Territorial Defense Forces, determined to protect his family. Tragically, on May 14, 2024, he was fatally wounded while attempting to rescue his injured comrades.
A combat medic who was with Oleh in his final moments shared that the fallen soldier’s thoughts were with his family. “He asked me to tell you that he loves Violetta and the children very much, and to raise his youngest son—with dignity—as he is a spitting image of his father.” Official reports list Oleh as missing, but his family knows the heartbreaking truth: he died in the line of duty.
Violetta, once an aspiring composer, had set aside her music as the war took hold. However, after losing Oleh, she felt compelled to write a song in his honor. The piece was completed for his birthday, but she dedicated it not only to him but to all women who have lost their heroes in the war.
For reference: The Children of Heroes charity foundation is currently supporting Violetta and her children. The organization helps children who have lost one or both parents to the war, offering financial assistance, psychological and legal support, and promoting their education and well-being until they come of age.
Kateryna and Artem Sobchenko were married in 2016, welcoming their son, also named Artem, a year later. Though the couple eventually divorced, they remained on good terms, maintaining a warm and supportive relationship.
When russia launched its full-scale invasion, Kateryna and her son were living in Mykolaiv, a city in southern Ukraine. On that fateful day, Kateryna was preparing for work when the sound of explosions shattered the morning calm.
Artem Sobchenko had dedicated his life to military service. He served as a Marine during the Anti-Terrorist Operation (ATO) but was forced to retire due to health issues. However, when the invasion began, he immediately volunteered at the enlistment office. Despite being turned away, Artem was undeterred. He defended Mykolaiv as a volunteer, helped evacuate civilians from Mariupol, and eventually joined the 77th Airmobile Brigade as a medic and platoon sergeant.
Artem’s bravery earned him the title of Hero of Ukraine, the Golden Star badge, and the Order of Courage. During the battle for Soledar, he saved 15 comrades. Later, while defending Bakhmut, he saved another soldier’s life but tragically did not return from the battlefield himself.
Kateryna received the devastating news just as their son was preparing to start first grade. The loss plunged young Artem into a deep depression. He became withdrawn, crying constantly and stuttering when he tried to speak.
Seeking help, Kateryna turned to the Children of Heroes Foundation, which supports children who have lost parents in the war. With the help of a psychologist and art therapy, Artem began to heal. He now speaks more openly and has started to smile again.
For context: The Children of Heroes Foundation provides financial aid, psychological and legal support, and educational opportunities for children who have lost one or both parents due to the war, continuing its assistance until they reach adulthood.
Dr. Clemens Schiestl, a renowned plastic surgeon from the University Children’s Hospital Zurich, is scheduled to arrive in Lviv on November 8. He will participate in Ukraine’s inaugural international burn conference, which will unite leading experts in burn care from around the world.
Before the conference, Dr. Schiestl will visit the burn unit at St. Nicholas Children’s Hospital, part of the First Medical Union of Lviv, to meet the children whose lives he has helped save. Over the past year, several young patients with severe burns from Lviv have been sent to Zurich for treatment. Among them are 7-year-old Maksym, who suffered burns in a fire while studying by candlelight during a blackout, and 15-year-old Maksym, who endured 40% burns from an electric shock. Both will meet with Dr. Schiestl for follow-up care during his visit.
Dr. Schiestl will also assess current patients in the Lviv burn unit. The conference, taking place on November 8-9, will make Lviv the focal point of international burn medicine. Experts will gather to exchange knowledge and discuss the latest advancements in burn treatment, a critical area of care in wartime when blast and mine injuries frequently cause burns.
The event is open to those with proper accreditation.
For further details: The Christian Medical Association of Ukraine, as part of the Burn Care Alliance project, organizes the event with support from the Ministry of Health of Ukraine and the First Medical Union of Lviv.
From November 9-13, the Voices of Children Foundation is hosting a Writing Residency in Ukraine’s Carpathians, bringing together young writers under the guidance of Ukrainian author Olha Rusina. Among the participants is 17-year-old Sofiia from Odesa, who plans to write a book honoring her father, a police officer who died during the war.
After russia’s full-scale aggression against Ukraine, Sofiia was forced to flee to Moldova, where she encountered challenges, such as enforced russian language use and a school curriculum focused on russian literature. An avid reader, Sofiia even started a reading club for her peers in Moldova. This fall, she enrolled at the Ivan Franko National University of Lviv’s Faculty of Journalism, where she connected with Rusina, who now mentors her as she begins work on her father’s story.
Alongside Sofiia, teens from cities including Kharkiv, Dnipro, and the Chernihiv region—many from military families or displaced by the war—will join the residency. Participants will work to process their experiences and turn trauma into resilience through creative expression. Set in a mountain retreat, the program will offer writing workshops, as well as individual and group counseling sessions with psychologists.
Journalists seeking to cover the residency can arrange access in advance, and may also speak with Sofiia in Lviv.
