Update on the transformation of the bomb shelter in the Druzhnia kindergarten Strumochok

The volunteers of the Reconstruction project continue to transform the bomb shelter for the Strumochok kindergarten in Druzhnia village near Borodianka. A village that survived the occupation, a shelter that became a refuge for two hundred adults and children during the hostilities in the Kyiv region, preschoolers who need a bright and comfortable shelter instead of a dark and damp basement. The B50 team responded to a request to help prepare this shelter for the new school year.

B50 has a lot of tasks here, as the shelter is very large and needs to be renovated in 2 large halls and 2 small bedrooms, as well as technical rooms and passages. The volunteers started their work in one of the two large rooms, the hall, and are moving from room to room so that in the course of our work, the children have free spaces to stay during air raids.

After the renovation work is completed in these rooms, the volunteers of the Shelters project will begin their task of decorating the walls with murals and drawings to finally turn the rooms of this shelter into play and sleeping spaces that will not remind the young children of the institution either of the time of the occupation of the village or of the time they had to spend in these dark basements during air raids. Our task is to make sure that children feel as comfortable here as in the playrooms of a kindergarten.

To do this, we enlisted the help of the Ampli teen accelerator, whose graduates create designs for future murals. The sketches of the young professionals who will decorate the walls of these rooms have a common theme of Harmony. Given the history of this shelter, this theme was chosen to create a balanced atmosphere that will promote both relaxation and peace of mind, as well as encourage active pastime, children’s interest in playing and learning new things.

Meanwhile, the volunteers of the Reconstruction project have done a lot. In the largest hall, the theme of which is “Energy”, the walls have already been cleaned and primed to the ceiling, two coats of paint have been applied to the ceiling, and all the walls have been almost painted.

In addition, to arrange the space, we removed unnecessary metal doors and made a partition that will separate the sleeping part of the hall, where preschoolers will stay, from the common area. The administration of the kindergarten sees the ‘Energy” hall as a space for activities, sports and dancing in the future, so our arrangement and decoration of this room will meet these needs as well, so we are separating the area for relaxation and activities and creating murals on the walls, which will be in pastel, calm, warm colours, but also energetic, carefree, voluminous, with a sense of lightness and space. In this way, we aim to provide a place that will encourage and inspire them to learn, engage in interesting activities, and socialise with their peers.

Work has begun on two other small rooms, which will be called “Warmth” and “Inspiration”. Work has begun on the walls and ceiling.

We thank Prospero World for their support and grant to purchase the necessary construction materials. We are continuing the transformation of this shelter and will soon start the decorating phase, so we invite you to join our volunteer trips and help us turn this basement into a comfortable place for the future generation of Ukrainians.