The great transformation of the bomb shelter in the Strumochok kindergarten

The war has brought many challenges to our lives, but the greatest pain is for children who are forced to live in constant danger. To protect their most precious asset – their childhood – the B50 team, our volunteers, together with the local community and the administration of the Strumochok kindergarten, have embarked on an ambitious and crucial project to turn a cold and unwelcoming bomb shelter into a safe, warm and cosy space where children can not only wait out the danger but also feel comfortable, play and learn.

During the occupation of Druzhnia village in 2022, the basement of the Strumochok kindergarten became a temporary shelter for many residents of the village and the surrounding area. However, the grey walls, lack of comfort, gloomy lighting and unsuitable furniture made this place far from ideal for children to stay for long periods of time during air raids, especially when the kindergarten reopened. It was necessary not only to arrange a shelter, but to create a space where children would feel safe and comfortable, despite the circumstances of the war.

Understanding this need was the impetus for B50 to start renovating the shelter. It was important not only to buy new furniture, but also to make a complete renovation that would create a bright and warm atmosphere similar to the usual playrooms. The repair and decoration of the shelter became possible thanks to the diligent work of our volunteers and the grant support of the Prospero World Foundation. The shelter was equipped with comfortable furniture and improved heat and energy efficiency thanks to the participation of B50 in a grant competition from Helvetas Swiss Intercooperation as part of the Swiss support to Ukraine funded by Swiss Solidarity.

Below is how this magical transformation took place.

Reconstruction

The kindergarten shelter consists of several spacious rooms. We focused on the arrangement of two large halls and two small rooms. Each of these spaces was to become a separate area for different preschool groups. In addition, we had to renovate the entrance group of the shelter, the corridor and the hallway between the rooms.

As always, the volunteers of the Reconstruction project, led by Volodymyr Stetsyura, were the first to start work. One by one, they prepared the walls and ceiling in each room, eliminated significant defects, putty, primed and painted the surfaces. In particular, a new space was created in the first large hall by separating it from the rest of the hall with a small wall – this additional room will serve as a classroom.

We also carried out insulation and decoration of communications, zonal refinement of the floor and a number of other important works. The lack of light and cold no longer dominate the room – it is filled with warmth and light.

Funding for construction materials – mixtures, paint and other necessary items – was raised by our organisation thanks to the support of the British foundation Prospero World, which took an interest in and supported this important initiative.

Thanks to the support of Helvetas Swiss Intercooperation, new interior doors and ceiling lights were purchased for the shelter, which provided the renovated premises with a high level of heat and energy efficiency.

Shelters

The volunteers of the Shelters project, led by Polina Koruts, worked in stages, moving in rhythm with the progress of the renovation of the rooms. Thanks to the well-coordinated work, even the largest murals were created in just a few days!

The general idea of the shelter’s decoration was the Harmony concept. Taking into account the history of this space, this theme was chosen to create a balanced atmosphere – one that promotes relaxation and inner balance, while encouraging children to play actively and learn new things. We sought to strike a balance between calm and dynamics, combining figurative murals with simple shapes and abstraction. For example, the small recreation rooms were given the themes of Warmth and Inspiration, and the large halls were given the themes of Rhythm and Energy.

Our goal was not just to create a comfortable shelter for the present, but also to equip multifunctional spaces that the institution will be able to use in the future not only as protective premises. For example, the administration of the kindergarten plans to use the Energy hall for sports, dancing and active games, so its decoration met these needs.

In the murals, we combined pastel, warm and calm shades and child-friendly images with energetic, light and open elements that create a sense of joy and freedom. In this way, we wanted to create a space that would inspire children to learn, engage in interesting activities and easily socialise with their peers.

We once again involved the Ampli teen accelerator in the creation of the murals – its graduates, Valeria, Anna and Alina, developed sketches according to the given themes. Thanks to this, the younger generation gained valuable practical experience, joined socially useful volunteer work and set a great example for preschoolers. The murals not only decorated the space, but also became a real source of positive energy for the children.

Space arrangement

Along with the progress of the renovation work in the shelter, the B50 team started looking for additional funding to make the space not only safe, but also truly comfortable and functional for children. To do this, we took part in the ‘Support for Ukraine’s Recovery’ competition from Helvetas Swiss Intercooperation, which is being implemented as part of Switzerland’s support for Ukraine and funded by Swiss Solidarity.

Having fulfilled all the necessary conditions, in August we received confirmation of funding in the amount of about UAH 420,000, which was used to purchase much-needed furniture for the children in the facility: children’s tables and chairs, bedding and cots where children can rest during long air raids. In addition, we were able to purchase modern lighting fixtures, interior doors and heat-insulating flooring to improve the overall thermal and energy efficiency of the shelter.

We are especially proud of the new children’s beds with bed linen, 50 tables and 100 chairs that have completely replaced the old, unsuitable furniture. Where there used to be cold floors with mattresses and makeshift benches made of wood, there are now comfortable and safe places for rest, study and creative activities.

Thanks to the initiative of our volunteer Anastasiia D., we purchased a dehumidifier to control the humidity in the basement.

Thanks to the well-thought-out zoning of the space, the shelter now has separate play, study and sleeping areas – all to ensure that children feel as comfortable as possible, even in difficult moments. They can not only wait out the alarm, but also maintain the usual rhythm of the day: play, study and relax in a bright, warm, safe space.

B50 work

It is worth noting that this project was implemented in the context of the war: the work was repeatedly interrupted due to stabilisation power outages caused by missile strikes, and some of our regular B50 volunteers joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Despite this, the process did not stop. Local activists, parents and staff joined our team. It is thanks to their cohesion, dedication and faith in the common cause that we managed to overcome all the difficulties.

This is a common victory. A victory over circumstances for the sake of the children’s future.

Proud of the result

The renovated shelter is not just a place of safety, it is a space that helps children maintain a sense of normalcy and reduce psychological stress. It has become an island of calm and joy in the midst of the storm of war.

Thanks to this care, children can continue to learn, develop and even relax without feeling cut off from the world. This is incredibly important for their social adaptation and emotional recovery. The project has also strengthened the community, showing that the most difficult challenges can be overcome together. Parents feel calm knowing that their children are safe, which relieves some of their anxiety and gives them the strength to move forward.

B50 would like to thank everyone who has become a part of this important work. We are especially grateful to our donors – Prospero World Foundation and Helvetas Swiss Intercooperation, as part of the Swiss Solidarity support to Ukraine – for their financial support and trust.

Special words of gratitude go to the volunteers who continued to work even in the most difficult times for their cohesion and dedication.

This is a story not only about repairing the shelter, but also about believing in the best, about the power of community and love for children who deserve safety and a happy childhood.