Ukrainian refugee children attend the Ukrainian school in evacuation. (source: Donio.sk)
In Bratislava, an extraordinary school opened several months after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, in 2022, welcoming dozens of refugee children. But it may shut down in the near future due to the lack of funding.
More than 200 Ukrainian refugee children have been coming to the “Ukrainian School in Evacuation” in the Old Town since its opening to study in the afternoons. In addition to Ukrainian, Slovak, Maths, History and English, they learn about career counselling, financial literacy and art therapy.
Although the school does not issue any certificates, the school matters to many.
“For these children, this school is support in a new country, where they can feel at home at least a little bit,” said psychologist Bohdana Lyulko. It may seem to Slovak people that all children should be integrated by now, she said, but in practice this is not quite the case.
Nine teachers - Ukrainian refugees - work at the school, as well as a psychologist.
All this has been possible thanks to UNICEF, and in part thanks to the Bratislava City Hall, but the global organisation will cut off funds to the school in the weeks to come. All the school needs is to collect less than €5,000 to reach its target of €40,000 and to continue its mission.
“We will use the funds for employee salaries, teaching aids and the payment of direct costs associated with teaching,” pledges the SME SPOLU civic association.
So, who is in?
