A future rebuilt in Ukraine: Ruta Kindergarten rises from the ruins of war
Ukraine is not alone and they will not be left alone.
For many young children, kindergarten is a place of friendship, laughter, and learning—a foundation for their future. But Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine shattered this sense of safety for the children of Radist Kindergarten in Irpin, Kyiv Oblast.
Founded in 1984, Radist Kindergarten suffered the worst damage of any preschool in Irpin when intense shelling in 2022 reduced much of it to rubble. In an instant, children lost their place of learning, teachers lost their jobs, and families struggled to balance childcare with the immense task of rebuilding their country.
But Ukraine is not alone in this fight. Determined to support the country’s inspiring resilience, the Lithuanian government committed EUR 4.9 million through The Fund for the Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid to rebuild the kindergarten.
One year later, the school has been transformed. Now renamed Ruta—after Lithuania’s national flower, also cherished in Ukrainian folklore—the new kindergarten is more than just a building; it’s a symbol of hope. The facility has been expanded with an additional floor for more classrooms and educational services. It also meets modern safety standards, featuring an easily accessible bomb shelter with four entrances, modern ventilation and warning systems, bathrooms, recreation areas, and an advanced alarm system to ensure the protection of every child. The reconstruction also prioritized inclusivity, making the school accessible for children with special needs.
It is necessary for adults to work—we work for victory. And for adults to work, they need to put their children in kindergartens.
The Ruta kindergarten project is included in the Digital Restoration Ecosystem for Accountable Management (DREAM) ecosystem—a platform ensuring transparency, efficiency, and accountability in Ukraine’s rebuilding efforts. The project is a powerful example of international solidarity, smart planning, and community-led action.
Today, the children of Irpin can return to their place of joy and security, where they can play, learn, and dream of a future filled with peace and victory.
