Former US Ambassador to Ukraine John Herbst and Deputy Director of the Atlantic Council’s Eurasia Center Melinda Haring paid a visit to two educational institutions in Kyiv. The eminent visitors were accompanied by Veronika Chechotkina, Project Manager of East Europe Foundation.

Western opinion leaders are excited to join our Safe School Program aimed at ensuring children’s comfort, both physical and psychological. We value immensely this kind of support from true friends of Ukraine from all over the world and we are particularly proud considering that Ms. Melinda is our Board member.

“Ukrainians truly care about the most vulnerable in their communities. We so enjoyed seeing this newish daycare center in Kyiv for mentally handicapped adults. They learn woodworking, clay making, sewing and more”,  Melinda Garing wrote on Twitter immediately after the visit.

The purpose of our Safe School Program is to equip 20 shelters in relatively safe regions of Ukraine, in particular Kyiv. All selected schools will be equipped with electric heaters, emergency lights, first-aid kits, water coolers and filters, routers, seating furniture, materials for activities and games with children. In addition to it, shelters in four schools will undergo renovation.

Safe School Program is implemented by East Europe Foundation in partnership with the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine. Financial support is provided by Eurasia Foundation, Terre des hommes, EPAM Ukraine, Baker Tilly International and METRO UA.