A School Project With Schools in Ukraine, Slovenia and Finland
IN HEARTS WITH UKRAINE 25 MAY 2022
It started already in April when Oleksii's school joined Mika's project Plant And Care For Peace, in the middle of the war
Connecting schools It started with a chat, questions, worry. Darinka from Slovenia, Mika from Finland, and Oleksii from Ukraine. Three friends once connected by ENO-Environment Online and fighting for the environment together. Now Oleksii is forced to fight other battles. His homeland, Ukraine, is the victim of cruel Russian aggression.
Ukrainian children cannot attend school; they are fleeing their homes and trying to stay alive. We started to think about how to connect our schools and bring some joy and hope into children's lives, even if only for an hour. We came up with the idea of common workshops and the Ukrainians decided on a threeday marathon called “In Hearts with Ukraine.” Planting for peace in April 2022
ABOUT THE PROJECT In Hearts With Ukraine We will perform the workshops simultaneously online, hoping that the air raid sirens in Ukraine will not interrupt our meeting. Our colleagues had to run to the shelter three times yesterday and we were literally getting the instructions from the shelter, so we are aware there will be a lot of improvisation. The first day is about creativity and holding master classes for three age groups. Children age 6-10 yrs will make angel-amulets, made of felt. Children age 10-12 yrs will make blue and yellow bracelets. Children age 12-14 yrs will make a large Ukrainian wreath as a symbol of unity (each flower in the wreath will have a specific meaning) and sing Ukrainian songs. The second day is Vyshyvanka Day, when children will learn about traditional clothing and dance as a flash mob in national clothes (each country presents its own clothes). For the third day we’ll create a patriotic mural on the school wall and perform the song "Oh, u luzi chervona kalyna."
Ukrainian teachers The three-day patriotic marathon is dedicated to the unity of Ukraine and friendly relations with Slovenia and Finland. We, Ukrainians, are sincerely grateful to you for your support in this difficult time for our country and our people. We organized this program as a way to make the children happier. Our children will share their creative skills, communicate with your children, feel unity, strengthen friendship, and create something in common.
Lesia and Oleksii, Ukraine Hello dear friends! Our country Ukraine and our people are suffering from the worst, the rudest, the craziest enemy - Russia. Russian soldiers kill peaceful people, children, and animals. They do the most evil things to Ukrainians. They destroy our houses, our cities, towns. Lots of people had to leave their homes to find the place to be safe. We have never heard sirens of attacks before, but now we must hide in special shelters when we hear the siren! Even animals run to shelters. Everyone knows that it`s the sound of danger. Thank God and our Army we are still alive. Everyday people move around Ukraine looking for a quiet place to live. Our cities and our people try to help and support them. The event “In hearts with Ukraine” was organized to make our children feel happier. We know and our children know that we aren`t alone and we are really grateful to you for your support. During the meeting our children forgot about the war for a moment. They were happy. It`s the most important feeling. Children were making angelprotectors and blue and yellow bracelets. These Ukrainian symbols will be given to our soldiers. We believe that these amulets will protect them and they will come back home alive and victorious. These amulets are our collective creation. We’ve done them together! That's awesome! The children from Slovenia and Finland are very creative and talented. Their works look very nice! The children also shared their dreams and wishes. They asked each other a lot of questions: about favorite food, sports, subjects, free time activities. The children from Slovenia sang a very nice song. Ukrainian children sang “Oh u luzi chervonakalyna’. We learned some special words in our native languages. We know the war will stop soon and we hope it will never happen again. May all people around the world live in peace. Be happy and believe that together we are stronger!!! God bless you!
Vyshyvanka Day
Thoughts from Slovenia and Finland
Darinka
Mika
Slovenia is one of the most peaceful countries in the world. And yet, 30 years ago, we too found ourselves in the middle of a war. At that time, we were positive that our civilization finally learnt its lesson and that nobody would be crazy enough to start a war again. How naive! As long as I live, I will never forget the feeling of running into the cellar and waiting for the air raid. I thought: “No, this cannot be happening. It is 1991 and we are in the heart of Europe!!!” We were much luckier than you, dear Ukrainian friends. Our war finished in 10 days but continued very brutally in other parts of former Yugoslavia. My dear friend, a famous Danish musician, wrote lots of articles about what was going on in Slovenia and sent them all around the world. I remember how grateful I was and when I thanked him, he said: “We must always react. We must always respond. Write, always write about everything. Promise!”
Living in a peaceful land, the real shock came in February. I couldn't believe: a war in Europe. I live near to the border of Finland and Russia, my parents had to leave their homes because of World War II. They shared their stories how they felt it.
And I do. I always try to react and respond when something bad is happening, because I believe this is our human duty. Dear humans, respond! Find the solutions! Help! Do good! Think positive! Do what you must do and do not wait for others to do your job! I'm so grateful to our teachers. Thank you for your warm response. Thank you for allowing your students to get this experience. It was an honor working with you and I hope we'll continue.
Finland has had good relations with Russia. We have many people who have come from Russia, especially here in Eastern Finland. We appreciate their culture and ordinary people. But because of this outrageous invasion by Russia and killing innocent people, our relations stopped. We need to take care that they won't attack our country. I started to think what I could do in this situation. Then I put up a project Plant And Care For Peace where I invited Oleksii's school to join. And then with Oleksii and Darinka we came up with this new project. I was amazed to see how quickly all was put together. In Finland I want to thank especially Hane, who is not only a teacher but a great helper of Ukrainians.
Children's responses - Ukraine Dasha, 16 I really enjoyed yesterday's meeting. It was also very useful to communicate in English. Each of us got something positive from this event. I’d be very happy if we have opportunity to meet them online again. I am very grateful they are supporting Ukraine in such a difficult time. I really enjoyed it. Оleksij, 13 This event was very patriotic and I liked it. We also talked to Finnish and Slovene students. I was impressed by how well the girls of the 11th grade speak English. I liked everything. Кarina, 13 I had a lot of fun; the day was full of emotions and impressions. It is very comforting to know that we have support and that we are not alone. We've made amulets for our defenders and I really liked it. Kristina, 14 I got lots of positive emotions. We met wonderful people. Everyone shared their life story and we also learned about each other's interests. And the most important thing - we worked together, as a team. I also practiced English! Alina, 11 I liked our guests. They were polite, cheerful and tried to support us. We all learned a few words in our languages. Together, we tried to weave as many bracelets as possible for our defenders. Illia, 13 My impression about Finns and Slovenes is great. From our conversation I realized that they are very worried about the situation in Ukraine. They are trying to provide humanitarian aid to Ukrainians who have been forced to flee their homes due to the war. We also taught them to make bracelets for our warriors. They taught me words in Finnish and Slovene, such as, thank you and good bye. Anastasia, 16 I really enjoyed our meeting. I was able to speak English and improve my language. It was also very touching, when we were making bracelets for our soldiers who are bravely defending our country.
Ulyana, 10 My impression? Super! I am very glad that we met and made amulets together. I hope that Ukraine will win this war and we will meet in real life and talk face to face. Maria, 10 Hello there! I really liked how you were making Angels with us. I am very grateful that you were with us. I am dreaming that you will come to us. Dmitry, 10 I am very happy to meet wonderful children from Finland and Slovenia. It was a pleasure to make amulets for our defenders together. I hope that the war will end soon and you will come to visit us. Viktoria, 8 Yesterday I attended the master-class and we were making Angels from the felt. It was very interesting to talk to children from Finland and Slovenia.
Teachers' responses Hané, Finland I was very happy when Mika contacted me and from the start I knew we can have a group working on the class and online. I immediately contacted Ulla and her pupils and colleagues agreed to take part in the event right away. We had also 2 high school girls participating and helping younger ones. They helped also with the language. I was very happy to see all the joy in our school and on computer screens! We noticed that some of them cried so it was very touching and important event for them. Ulla,Finland We were so happy for the opportunity for our students to work with yours. That makes things so concrete for kids (aged 10, assisted by our secondary high school students); they feel they can bring some help from their hearts to you. This is absolutely the best way for kids to find real information and talk about the situation there. Some of them left home with the bracelets on their wrists to protect the Ukrainian kids. Thanks for doing this! Viktorija, Slovenia I'm happy to be part of such wonderful projects. Especially this one. My students are always eager to take part in events that enhance their creativity and skills of communication. What I especially loved today, was the relaxed atmosphere that all of us have created, full of laughter and joy. I water you, you water me...we grow together. Love for all, from me and my students Simon,Slovenia It was very precious to be part of our reunion. Our kids were happy making bracelets and talking to other pupils. Let the peace prevail! Neža, Slovenia Our 1st graders were eager to see their colleagues from other countries, especially from Ukraine. They did their best to make those amulets – angels. This meeting and workshop was an amazing experience for all of us. Something we’ll carry in our minds and hearts for a long time! Lesia, Ukraine Thank you so much. May we all live in peace! We are friends forever!!! Oleksii, Ukraine Thank you!!! Hvala! Kiitos! Kids and teachers are excited. Дякую!
In Hearts With Ukraine 25 May 2022
Slovenia
Simona, Viktorija, Simon and Neža
Ukraine
Lesia and Oleksii
Finland
Ulla and Hane
Concrete help OŠ Polhov Gradec Elementary School, SLovenia
Hané, Finland Teacher Hané Vähäkoski from Joensuu is a truly devoted to helping Ukrainians. He established Hane Peace Ukraine Association that provides support and management for the volunteer group. Activities, trips and projects are carried in the same spirit as before, but now in the name of the association. Hané will continue to lead the relief efforts. The first relief aid trip was 5-9 March 2022. More than 100 cubic meters of relief supplies and 150 refugees. The second one in Easter 2022. In addition to huge amount of relief supplies, 170 Ukrainians travelled to Finland. Third relief aid trip will be on its way on June 6th 2022. As an educator, he has organized a voluntary school project, teaching for Ukrainians, including Finnish and English languages, culture, job search, cooking and Finnish taxation. Find more info also in English on the website https://hanepeaceukraine.fi/eng/
Over the past three months, we have all, in one way or another, been pushed into the whirlwind of war in Ukraine. The students of our school are especially connected with Ukraine through religious order of Mary's Sisters, residing and working in the municipality of Polhov Gradec. There is a Mission in Kiev and a religious house in the small village of Turi Remeti, near the border with Slovakia. Their mission during this time is marked by spiritual and material help to people suffering from war. Together with the nuns, the local priest, Knight of the Maltese Order and our teachers, a campaign to collect material aid was launched. We collected mainly what young refugee mothers need for their children: hygiene items, baby food, diapers and more. We also collected aid that they provided to Kyiv: medical supplies, torches, gas burners etc. The aid trip was carried out by our janitor Rajko in April.
In Hearts With Ukraine Team PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS Vinnytsia Public School N. 27, Ukraine OŠ Polhov Gradec Elementary School, SLovenia Teacher Training School of the University of Eastern Finland
TEACHERS Vinnytsia Public School N. 27, Ukraine: Oleksii Ternovoy Lesia Dzhura OŠ Polhov Gradec Elementary School: Simona Mihalic Viktorija Hribovšek Simon Purger Neža Kralj Teacher Training School of the University of Eastern - Finland: Hane Vähäkoski Ulla Saastamoinen
COORDINATION:
Darinka Orel, Slovenia Oleksii Ternovoy, Ukraine
DESIGN & LAYOUT: Mika Vanhanen, Finland
