Free clubs for children in Ivano-Frankivsk
Since the war started, almost 14 million Ukrainians have been forced to leave their homes, and 8 million have been displaced within Ukraine. Most of these people are families with kids. They were searching for a safer place with no active fighting happening around them. Although there are no places in Ukraine that are considered to be a safer places at the moment. Ivano-Frankivsk became one of the cities that welcomed many Ukrainian families with children. That’s why NGO “Smart Osvita” in collaboration with dozens of local public education initiatives and supported by ChildFund Deutschland (Children Fund of Germany), decided to start the “FranKolo” project in this city.
About the project: “FranKolo” is a series of free clubs and classes for kids and teenagers aged 6-17. Within the project’s first week, more than 170 local and relocated children enrolled in the classes. More than half of them have been forced to leave their homes because of war. Lessons take place in two districts of Ivano-Frankivsk: Kniahynyn and Pasichna.
The project aims to create educational opportunities and allow kids to communicate with their peers, which is an integral part of their life. We want to unite local and relocated children and create opportunities for them to make new friends in Frankivsk. After all, communication with friends and support from adults is crucial to kids in any circumstance. It helps them feel safe, increases their happiness, and improves their mental health. In addition, active physical and creative activities help release stress.
The project started on April 2022.
Partners:
- Educo Foundation
- ChildFund Deutschland
- Creative workshop-sewing coworking “Klaptyk”
- Alternative school Kaizen
- RoboclubIF
- Private gymnasium “Kryla”
- Children’s hiking club “GoÎra!”
- English Lab
- Theater-studio “Grotesk”
- A teacher Anastasiia Yevdokymova.
