Story of a Kindergarten in Kyiv Region: From Destruction to a Symbol of Community Resilience

Zahaltsi village was occupied for only a few weeks, yet local residents are still recovering from the consequences of that period.

Before the war, the local kindergarten was a place filled with children’s laughter and the everyday life of the community. However, from the very first days of the full-scale war, its basement was transformed into a shelter for many village residents.

“At the beginning of the war, almost the entire community took shelter in our basement. It was the only large basement in the village, so people came here seeking at least temporary safety. We welcomed everyone, offered tea, and helped them settle in. The kindergarten quickly became a true symbol of resilience for our community,” recalls Liudmyla, the head of the institution.

After the occupation began, many residents of Zahaltsi experienced intimidation and looting by Russian military forces firsthand. Those who were unable to evacuate in time were forced to spend days hiding in the basements of their homes.

The preschool education institution itself was also affected. For several weeks, Russian military personnel used the kindergarten’s basement as a base, leaving behind damaged furniture, destroyed equipment, and looted premises. Then, on 7 March 2022, the building suffered significant destruction as a result of an airstrike.

After the deoccupation of the village, residents gradually began returning home and rebuilding their lives with their own efforts.

“People started coming back while mines and abandoned burnt military vehicles were still scattered along the roads. Many had their homes and property destroyed. At that time, I was not yet the director of the institution, but I know that the staff of our preschool made tremendous efforts to clean the territory, cover the shattered windows, and at least partially save the building,” says Ms. Liudmyla.

Children from neighbouring communities had always attended the Zahaltsi Preschool Education Institution. Recognizing the importance of ensuring children’s access to safe and quality education, UNOPS decided to repair the institution with funding from the European Union.

As part of the School Repairs in Ukraine project, UNOPS carried out a full renovation of the premises and roof. In addition, the institution was provided with sets of essential furniture, helping create comfortable and functional conditions for children’s learning and daily activities.

The basement premises were also fully restored and are now used as a safe space during air raids.

Gradually, the kindergarten began to fill with life again. Children’s voices can once again be heard in the corridors, and the groups are filled with the daily routine of learning, play, and interaction. For educators, this is not only a restored building but also the return of a sense of stability and the ability to work with children in a safe environment.

“Children absolutely need to attend kindergarten, as it is essential both for their development and for their socialization. That is why we are very happy that they can now come to the renovated institution every day and see each other,” says the head of the institution.

For the community, this kindergarten has become not only a restored educational space but also a symbol of a return to life — step by step, together with the children who are once again filling it with the future.

About the project

The Schools Repairs in Ukraine project, funded by the European Union and implemented by UNOPS, aims to repair educational facilities that have been damaged during the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. This $30 million initiative is being implemented in the regions of Chernihiv, Kyiv, Sumy and Kharkiv, focusing on schools requiring light to medium repair work.

The primary objective of the project is to provide access to repaired school facilities which will increase the proportion of children receiving face-to-face education. By rehabilitating more than 70 schools, the project will help restore facilities to a safe and welcoming environment where students can continue their education without interruption.