Launched last spring thanks to a charity run organised by a German marathon runner, the Creative Bags programme continues to bear fruit on the ground. Conceived from the outset as a long-term initiative to support the children of Kherson as they face the hardships of war, this project has just reached two new milestones thanks to international and local support.

The second phase of the project took place on 1 June, to mark International Children’s Day, with the distribution of 100 creative kits. This stage benefited from a tremendous chain of solidarity across the globe:

• Support has come from Canada – specifically from a school in Alberta – which got in touch with our team after learning about our work. Having been made aware of the situation, the Canadian pupils organised a dedicated fundraising campaign. This gesture is all the more symbolic given that Alberta is home to one of the largest Ukrainian communities in the world, within a country that is home to nearly 1.5 million people of Ukrainian descent. historical of this diaspora.

• European mobilisation with Schools for Victory : As a regular partner of our organisation, this collective raises awareness of the Ukrainian cause amongst young secondary school pupils and university students across Europe. Their fundraising campaign in schools in Belgium, Germany and France helped to secure the remaining funding for this distribution.

About ten days ago, the third phase saw 80 new bags delivered to 80 children in Kherson. In addition to the funds provided by The Small Projects Team, this initiative was supported by the involvement of two partners from Normandy, the‘the ATM association and the’‘Élan de solidarité Cotentin Ukraine’, a partner organisation with which we have been working closely for a long time.

Amid the hardships of daily life in Kherson, these bags offer children something to keep them occupied and help them escape for a while during this beautiful summer. But the significance of this gesture goes far beyond the material aspect. Every kit handed out is tangible proof that international solidarity is still alive and well, that nobody has forgotten them, and that people on the other side of Europe are thinking of them.

Of course, none of this would be possible without you, our donors. Every contribution, however small, can make a huge difference.

To give you a concrete idea, a complete kit costs just around fifteen euros. And as soon as our fundraising reaches the €1,000 target, we can launch a new distribution phase! So it takes relatively little, and just a bit of support from a few donors, to make a huge difference on the ground.

The adventure doesn’t end here. We look forward to seeing even more of you join us to continue this wonderful chain of solidarity and, above all, to work together to prepare these children for the start of the new school year. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!