School provides hope and community for Ukrainian refugees

In 2022 One Global Village established a school for Ukrainian refugees in the Romanian city of Botosani. The school occupies the attic of a former orphanage converted by our partners at United Aid Foundation into a long-term temporary for Ukrainian families displaced by war. One Global Village volunteers helped to convert the home to a welcoming shelter, the yard into a gathering place for the newly formed Ukrainian community around Botosani, and the garage into a distribution center for donated food and supplies.  After many months with no sign of being able to return to life in Ukraine the community’s needs shifted from crisis care to stabilization. The children needed school – to continue their education, to come together, to experience joy.

One Global Village volunteers mobilized to create a colorful, engaging, welcoming place for learning. Three teachers were recruited as well as a cook for the daily hot lunch; books, art supplies, furniture, and laptops donated; the attic was cleared, painted, decorated, and set up for students.

The Botosani Ukrainian school serves grades 1-4 in the morning and grades 5+ in the afternoon. One of the teachers, Elena, also uses Zoom to teach students who remain in Odessa.  At night the school provides a warm, comfortable space for the mothers to gather and to study Romanian.

The students have added to the room’s decorations through art projects that celebrate Ukrainian heritage and culture. School provides a welcome routine, a sense of normalcy, purpose, and camaraderie. The Botosani Romania School is a place of learning, growth, and hope – for this small community of displaced families, and for the future of Ukraine.