In response to the war and urgent crisis in Ukraine, members of the One Global Village team joined volunteers from our partner United Aid Foundation in March and traveled to Botosani, Romania, to convert a former orphanage to house displaced families who crossed the border from Ukraine. Founder Abigail Hayo traveled several times to Botosani with United Aid, helping establish a system to distribute food and supplies to women and children, as well as a welcoming home for many families and a community gathering space. After many months of the ongoing war, the focus shifted from shelter and food to other needs for these displaced families.  Importantly, the children needed school – a need directly served by the mission of One Global Village. And so a new village was added to the One Global Village community.

OGV volunteers returned to Botosani and converted the top story attic into a colorful, cheerful, multipurpose school room. 3 teachers were recruited from among the many displaced Ukrainians now living in Botosani.  Classes are taught to the younger children in the morning, older students in the afternoon, and in the evening the room is often used for community gatherings and for a group of mothers to study Romanian. Wifi and donated laptops enable distance learning for several students, with tutoring support from the teachers onsite.  One of the teachers, Elena, continues to teach students in Odessa via Zoom.  Books, materials, and art supplies are shared, and the children have added to the décor with artwork and designs that celebrate Ukrainian culture and traditions.

Thanks to generous supporters and visionary partners, we are proud to help bring education and hope to this new Ukrainian village in Romania.