Since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, one thing has become increasingly clear: needs do not disappear with time. They evolve, they settle, but they remain.

That's why we've made a simple choice within The Small Projects Team: not to operate as a one-off reaction, but to take a long-term view.

In recent months, we have continued our aid programme in Ukraine, particularly in areas close to the front line such as Kherson.

Against a backdrop of constant power cuts, we have launched a new phase of our “Stay in Touch” initiative, with a simple aim: to enable children and teenagers to stay connected, continue learning and keep in touch with their loved ones.

With the support of the Yara Foundation and the Caritas France Foundation, and in cooperation with our long-standing partner Union of Help to Kherson, 450 anti-blackout kits were distributed.

Each kit includes a solar panel, a rechargeable lamp and an external battery. Simple equipment, but essential in the daily lives of families. 

Working in a frontline city imposes severe constraints. Nothing can be improvised. For this operation, we worked on the basis of already established local networks, in direct contact with neighbourhood leaders. This enabled us to identify needs precisely and organise distribution in a secure manner.

More than 20 micro-distributions have been set up to avoid crowds and adapt to security and curfew constraints.

Beyond the figures, the impact is very tangible.

These kits enable the children to continue their schooling, stay in contact with their families and maintain a link with the outside world, despite the extremely difficult conditions.

They meet an immediate need, but also contribute to something broader: preserving a minimum of normality.

This is not an isolated project. It is part of a continuum. Since the beginning of the war, we have been working with the same partners on the ground, adapting our actions to local realities. It is this consistency that enables us to be useful.

We sincerely thank the Yara Foundation and the Caritas France Foundation for their trust, as well as our Ukrainian partners for their daily commitment.

We will continue.

Note: the consent of parents has been obtained for the children photographed. Visible adults are parents or grandparents.