Children's Embassy weekly review ukraine -

Children’s Embassy weekly update 23 from Ukraine

Welcome to our weekly review, where we bring together the past week’s most important events and news from Children’s Embassy’s work in Ukraine.

Here you’ll find our social media updates from the week, fresh reports from the field, and stories about the children and families we work with. We also include selected news from other channels that affect our work and the children’s situation.

In each weekly review, we strive to convey both challenges and moments of hope – because both belong to the reality we live and work in.

Childrens diary

in war and on run

Hi! I’m Svyatoslav,

I live in Bobrovitsa. Three years ago, we lived in Stary Basan. When the enemy attacked, they occupied our village. The tanks drove along the road and stood in the fields one kilometre from our house. We heard shots, which was very frightening. We slept in the cellar where there are no windows.

We went to Bobrovitsa on foot, as there was no occupation there. Father walked our goat Flower all the 12 km way, as she gives us milk.

In Bobrovitsa, I saw a wrecked tank and soldiers. Our family went to Kyiv and by train on to Lviv. The train stopped many times because of explosions, and that was scary. We stayed with Masha.

Mother and I travelled to Poland and took the ferry to Sweden. That was my first voyage. There was a large dining hall. I saw lots of water and even a dolphin. We stayed in Sweden for two months and then returned home.

I’m finishing the fourth class. The shaheds fly over us every now and then. There are often air raid alerts, and then school is online.

I dream of the end of war.

Svyatoslav, 10.

Summer at Friend’s House

June. The second day of summer. We have another interesting competition in Friend’s House.

Everyone participates eagerly. Which team wins or who gets the most points – that’s not important. The main thing is that everyone enjoys the game.

Afterwards, we enjoyed a picnic and icecream.

/ Raisa Mikolaivna

Monday Glimpes

Monday again. At home.

Boas and I returned from our month-long speaking tour in Sweden and Finland. We also enjoyed some leisure.

The Ukrainian team lives in the midst of the war. We pray for them every day. We miss them so much. We keep doing our share in Sweden, in Finland and wherever each of one is.

The team time starts as always with Bible reading and prayer. The pandemic taught us this. The need is ever more urgent now. The villages are partly empty; women and children keep sowing for the future. The men and the big brothers are at the front.

Our local president Viktor reports. Russian troops are accumulating behind the border. This is no good thing.

Night. You can hear it. Everyone listens. Mother. Children. The team. Where?

BOOMM!

Silence.

Morning. Phone. “Good morning, we’re alive.”

Another day ahead.

The school ends on June the 6th, and the children talk about it everyday. June 1st is the child welfare day, but the Ukrainian president chose the Child’s day, November 11th, for the celebration. The children think adults make funny decisions! But we can celebrate. Why wait? We have a barbeque and many games, and if the siren sounds, we dance in the cellar. We are children every day!

Summer camp! From 1st to 14th July. Just imagine how their eyes shine when they talk about the journey! Two weeks of safety – but first the bus ride through the war. The Ukrainian bus must make it out of the country first before they can reach Sweden.

A lot of red tape to manage. Tomorrow and Thursday, the team goes to the Notary with the parents. Each child must have the licence to go abroad. Many stamps and signatures remain between them and freedom.

The preparation is on. Packing lists written, travel documents compiled. The parents dare hardly hope – but they do. How long does the journey last? Which roads are safe?

Longing and hope in the midst of it all. We carry on. Thank you for standing with us, for praying and for supporting Ukrainian children.

/Mirjam