{"id":2605745,"date":"2025-08-07T10:23:07","date_gmt":"2025-08-07T10:23:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wacoca.com\/news\/2605745\/"},"modified":"2025-08-07T10:23:07","modified_gmt":"2025-08-07T10:23:07","slug":"bring-back-the-childhood-to-the-children-in-odesa-%e5%9c%92%e5%85%90%e3%81%ab%e5%ad%a6%e3%81%b3%e3%81%a8%e9%81%8a%e3%81%b3%e3%81%ae%e7%92%b0%e5%a2%83%e3%82%92%e5%86%8d%e3%81%b3%e5%b1%8a%e3%81%91","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wacoca.com\/news\/2605745\/","title":{"rendered":"Bring Back the Childhood to the Children in Odesa \u5712\u5150\u306b\u5b66\u3073\u3068\u904a\u3073\u306e\u74b0\u5883\u3092\u518d\u3073\u5c4a\u3051\u305f\u3044\u3002\u30a6\u30af\u30e9\u30a4\u30ca\u306e\u4fdd\u80b2\u5712\u306b\u3054\u652f\u63f4\u3092\uff08\u56fd\u9023\u958b\u767a\u8a08\u753b(UNDP) 2025\/08\/05 \u6295\u7a3f\uff09"},"content":{"rendered":"

Bring Back the Childhood to the Children in Odesa, Ukraine\u00a0
Join Yokohama and UNDP in restoring a playground
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A Day Full of Children’s Smiles Again<\/p>\n

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The ongoing war in Ukraine continues to severely impact children\u2019s lives. Many kindergartens have been damaged by attacks, making it impossible for children to attend school or play safely outdoors. The constant sound of air raid sirens haunts people,\u00a0depriving children of the most basic joyful time of childhood: to play, to spend time with friends, and to simply live as children.<\/p>\n

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As a sister city of Odesa, the City of Yokohama has been leading efforts to coordinate support for rebuilding playgrounds and educational spaces. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), which has worked in Ukraine for over 30 years, is joining this initiative through a crowdfunding campaign\u2014hoping to create a direct connection between people in Japan and those in Ukraine.<\/p>\n

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By restoring the kindergarten, we hope to give children back a sense of normalcy\u2014of peaceful, everyday life.\u00a0No child should have to grow up in a world where their kindergarten is destroyed by a missile. Every child deserves a safe space where they can learn, play, and grow with their peers.<\/p>\n

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We ask for your support so that children can once again play, learn, and laugh in a safe and joyful environment.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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*If you are considering making a donation as a company, please contact the UNDP Representative Office in Japan Mr. Nihei and Mr. Takahashi (registry.jp@undp.org) when you consider such a possibility.<\/p>\n

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\u25bc\u00a0index<\/p>\n

1.Current Situation<\/p>\n

2.Project Background<\/p>\n

3.Reasons of the Initiation for this Crowdfunding Campaign<\/p>\n

4.Message from the principal<\/p>\n

5.How to support the project<\/p>\n

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The current situation\uff1a<\/p>\n

Ukrainian children are deprived of their natural joy<\/p>\n

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Impact of the War on the City of Odesa<\/p>\n

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More than three years have passed since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Since then, the peaceful daily lives of children and their families in Odesa have been deeply disrupted.<\/p>\n

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\u25a0What is Odesa City?<\/p>\n

It is a historic port city located on the Black Sea coast of southern Ukraine. Known for its diverse cultural heritage, beautiful architecture, and vibrant cultural life, the city of Odesa has long been regarded as one of the most important cities in Ukraine in terms of economy, history, and art.
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In addition, as a major hub for trade and shipping, the city is a gateway for exporting wheat and other grains from the agricultural country of Ukraine to various parts of the world, and has deep ties with the world.<\/p>\n

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The city center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has been particularly hard-hit.\u00a0On July 23, 2023, a missile strike by Russia damaged over 40 buildings, including five kindergartens, 25 monuments, and the city\u2019s largest cathedral, many of which are part of the city\u2019s cultural heritage.\u00a0
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Attacks from Russia have also caused damage to children’s playgrounds and educational facilities. In February 2025, a pediatric hospital and a nursery school were damaged by drone attacks nearby, injuring multiple people and causing widespread power outages. In addition, on March 17, 2025, night-time drone attacks damaged kindergartens, residential buildings, and nearby commercial facilities.\u00a0
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Despite being far from the front lines, the city of Odesa has been repeatedly targeted by missile and drone attacks due to its strategic significance. The scars of destruction remain clearly visible across the city to this day.<\/p>\n

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Impact on people<\/p>\n

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Even on days without explosions, people living in Odesa rarely feel at ease. Shops may be open, people go to work, and children still have places to play \u2014but that daily life can be shattered at any moment.
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With sirens, sudden power outages, and drones flying overhead, they are always next to the fear that “What if we\u2019re next?”. Many endure sleepless nights, carrying anxiety in their daily lives. Air raid alarms sound almost every night. People take shelter in basements or hallways to protect themselves. This constant tension and fear weigh heavily on the hearts and bodies of everyone. regardless of whether they are adults or children.\u00a0
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Parents in Odesa live each day worrying about their children\u2019s safety. Whether their child is at school, at home, or playing outside, the thought of \u201cWhat if something happens now?\u201d never leaves their mind.<\/p>\n

Many parents have lost their jobs or seen their income drop due to the war, and live with constant financial uncertainty. Still, they try to stay strong for their children \u2014 hoping to provide even a little sense of safety.
While caring for their children, they silently wrestle with their own fears and sorrow, unsure of how to explain this painful reality to children who are still too young to understand what war really means.
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Impact on children<\/p>\n

Ongoing war and frequent attacks continue to threaten people’s lives. Among them, children are the most severely affected.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Some children have experienced missile strikes and taken shelter underground. Others have watched their schools collapse before their eyes. Many now live in fear of the constant sound of air raid alarms. Even when schools manage to reopen, classes are often held in basements or shelters, making it extremely difficult for children to concentrate and learn.<\/p>\n

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In addition, many kindergartens that serve small children have also been damaged, and there are very few places left where they can play safely. The simple joys of childhood \u2014 \u201cplaying,\u201d \u201cspending time with friends,\u201d \u201cjust being a kid\u201d \u2014 have been stolen from children across Ukraine.<\/p>\n

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Project background\uff1a<\/p>\n

City of Yokohama and UNDP collaborate to restore the kindergarten<\/p>\n

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One of the places once filled with the joyful voices of children was No.141 Kindergarten.<\/p>\n

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Located in a densely populated port area, this kindergarten was an essential part of the local community. Before the full-scale invasion, it served as a safe learning and play space for as many as 125 children.<\/p>\n

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Even this beautiful kindergarten on the Black Sea coast could not escape the impact of war. It was struck multiple times \u2014 walls cracked from shockwaves, windows and the roof were destroyed. It was no longer a place where children could feel safe, and the facility has remained closed since June 20, 2023.<\/p>\n

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Since the closure, some families have managed to take their children to kindergartens farther away, but many others have no choice but to keep them at home. As a result, many children have lost precious time \u2014 time spent learning, growing, and playing with friends.
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” Can you imagine what it feels like to walk through a kindergarten where there are no children’s voices?
It breaks my heart.” \u2014 Halyna Tsubulska (Director, No.141 Kindergarten)
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The No. 141 Kindergarten consists of three buildings: a main building designated as a cultural heritage site, a two-story classroom and dormitory building, and a newly constructed annex. Currently, UNDP is carrying out repair work on the classroom and the annex building, with construction having started on March 17, 2025 and scheduled for completion by August 27, 2025.<\/p>\n

However, repairing the buildings alone is not enough to truly restore a warm and safe learning environment for children. Reinstalling outdoor playground equipment and preparing the kindergarten grounds are also essential steps to ensure that children have a safe and nurturing space where they can play, learn, and grow.<\/p>\n

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Creating a secure space at the kindergarten is not just about reconstruction \u2014 it is about helping the children of Odesa regain a sense of normalcy and peace in their daily lives.<\/p>\n

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It is with this intention that the City of Odesa, its sister city of Yokohama, and UNDP have come together to launch this project: a joint effort to support the healthy development of children through the restoration of their play environment and school grounds.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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\u25a0UNDP’s support for Ukraine<\/p>\n

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is one of the UN\u2019s main agencies working to end injustices such as poverty, inequality, and climate change. In Ukraine, UNDP supports recovery efforts while responding to urgent needs arising from the ongoing war and working to ensure human security.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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In addition to its work with Kindergarten No. 141, UNDP has long supported the people of Ukraine through various forms of assistance. These include: restoration of energy infrastructure, mine action, debris removal, and support for conflict-affected populations.
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In Odesa, where Kindergarten No. 141 is located, UNDP has also contributed to rebuilding schools and hospitals, supporting local businesses, and ensuring access to critical energy equipment that underpins essential services. All of these efforts are made possible thanks to the support of the Government of Japan.<\/p>\n

(\ufe0e \u25b6 Learn more : https:\/\/www.undp.org\/ja\/japan\/publications\/undp-ukraine-partnership-government-japan)<\/p>\n

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\u25a0Background of the collaboration between UNDP and City of Yokohama<\/p>\n

Based on their shared experience as international port cities that have risen from the scars of war, Yokohama and Odesa formed a sister city partnership in 1965. This partnership extends to urban reconstruction, humanitarian aid, and youth exchanges.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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After Russia\u2019s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Yokohama declared its commitment to peace and solidarity under the slogan \u201cAll-Yokohama.\u201d In April 2022, the city established the “Ukraine Exchange Caf\u00e9” to offer hospitality to Ukrainian evacuees in Yokohama. At the same time, Yokohama provided urgent humanitarian assistance to its sister city Odesa, including fundraising campaigns supported by local citizens.
Funds were delivered to the Red Cross in Odesa, along with donations of essential items such as water purification equipment and winter clothing, in response to emergency requests from the city.
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Yokohama has continued to support displaced Ukrainians over the long term, including through study tours for Ukrainian representatives to observe Yokohama\u2019s infrastructure, and by promoting collaboration between Ukrainian and Japanese companies. These efforts have aimed to accelerate recovery and reconstruction in the post-conflict period.<\/p>\n

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Against this backdrop, in August 2023, Odesa City contacted Yokohama City for cooperation in restoring the damaged kindergarten. Yokohama responded by providing information to UNDP and other related organizations and companies. Since then, UNDP and the city of Yokohama have repeatedly discussed the restoration of the city, and in July 2024, they signed a memorandum of understanding on technical cooperation to support infrastructure reconstruction in Ukraine, with Odesa as the central site.\u00a0
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This crowdfunding initiative is part of that broader effort, and the restoration of the Kindergarten No. 141 marks the first joint project to be implemented following the signing of this agreement.
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Reason why we initiated on a challenge of crowdfunding\uff1a<\/p>\n

Shedding light on the impact of war on kindergartens and people’s lives<\/p>\n

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UNDP has been committed to restoring basic infrastructure across Ukraine, but the scale of the destruction is enormous, making it difficult to meet all regional needs.\u00a0
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Supporting infrastructure \u2014 particularly the energy sector \u2014 requires large-scale funding, and resources must be allocated efficiently across numerous priorities; as a result, available funding is limited, and currently UNDP can only support the most essential structural repairs needed to reopen kindergartens.<\/p>\n

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Since the outbreak of war, the City of Odesa has received humanitarian and recovery support from its sister city, Yokohama. This project builds on the long-standing bond between Odesa and Yokohama, and leverages UNDP\u2019s international network to ensure broader and more targeted support.<\/p>\n

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This crowdfunding campaign aims to strengthen the ties between people in Japan and Ukraine, even in this time of hardship. It is being launched to raise funds for creating a safe and nurturing environment for up to 200 children who attend No. 141 Kindergarten in Odesa \u2014 a place for them to learn, play, and grow.<\/p>\n

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\u25a0 undraising Goal: 3 million yen<\/p>\n

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\u25a0 Use of funds: playground equipment, classroom furniture, cooking utensils, desks, chairs, blackboards,\u00a0shelter-related equipment, etc.<\/p>\n

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Restoring the playground has been identified as a top priority by the kindergarten director. For children aged 3 to 6, outdoor play is an essential part of their daily learning and development. Creating a safe and enriching space for \u201cplay, learning, and interaction\u201d is essential to restoring a sense of normalcy.\u00a0
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*The scale of this project will be determined according to the total amount of support collected by the deadline. If even one support is collected, it is possible to donate playground equipment by combining supplemental funds and other resources
For example, if 50% of the target is reached by the end of the campaign, we will prioritize the provision of playground equipment.
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*The recipient, Kindergarten No. 141, has agreed to accept support through this crowdfunding initiative.
They have also consented to the public sharing of this crowdfunding story and related materials.<\/p>\n

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News about the war in Ukraine is widely reported on television, YouTube, and other sources, but much of the coverage focuses on the front lines, missile attacks, and government actions; little is said about how the war is affecting children, parents, and the daily lives of educational settings.<\/p>\n

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Through this crowdfunding, we hope to shed light on the impact of war on the lives of nursery schools and those around them.
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With your support, the children of Odesa can once again learn, play, and feel safe \u2014 in a place where they can experience joy. Even a small donation can bring about real change. We invite you to join us in delivering warmth and hope to the children of Ukraine.
\u2015\u2015To regain a place where children can play, laugh, and feel safe again.\u00a0
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Message from the Director\uff1a<\/p>\n

May this kindergarten be filled with children’s smiles again<\/p>\n

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Halyna Tsubulska
Director, Odesa City No. 141 Kindergarten<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve worked at the Kindergarten No.141 for 53 years \u2014 first as a teacher, then a psychologist, and for the past 25 years, as director.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Before the war, 125 children attended our combined-type kindergarten in Odesa, including those with special needs and health conditions. Generation have grown up here \u2014 former students come back as teachers and later enroll their own children. This trust means the world to me.<\/p>\n

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When the full-scale invasion began, like many institutions in Odesa, we were forced to close. Shortly afterward, we organized a shelter to safely resume classes for 80 children.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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But on the night of June 20, 2023, a missile strike hit nearby. The blast destroyed windows, ripped off parts of the roof and verandas, and severely damaged the playground.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Tragically, one person lost their life.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Our small team cleared the debris and cleaned up the aftermath, preserving what we could, but children never came back.<\/p>\n

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You can\u2019t imagine what it\u2019s like to walk through a kindergarten and hear no children\u2019s voices. It\u2019s heartbreaking. When we came here for the first time after the attack, it was so surreal \u2014 you walk around and wonder: where are the children?<\/p>\n

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Currently, the kindergarten offers remote working to 20 children. We are 7 people working, including a teacher, a nurse, a janitor, and security guards.<\/p>\n

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Children, parents, and us dream about the day when this place is filled with children and laughter again.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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On behalf of our entire kindergarten community, I want to extend my deepest gratitude to the people of Japan, the city of Yokohama and UNDP. \u00a0Your kindness, support, and solidarity through this initiative mean more than words can express.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Knowing that people across the world care about our children gives us strength and hope.<\/p>\n

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Halyna Tsubulska<\/p>\n

How to support the project<\/p>\n

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How to support the project<\/p>\n

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Thank you so much for being interested in this project. This page explains how to support our project.\u00a0
If you enable Google Translate, the Japanese page will appear in English and other languages.<\/p>\n

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Link \u25b6https:\/\/readyfor.jp\/projects\/undp-yokohama-odesa<\/p>\n

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*We cannot send return gifts to addresses outside of Japan.<\/p>\n

* The donations are not eligible for deductions.\u00a0
* The donation receipt will not be issued.<\/p>\n

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Thank you very much!<\/p>\n

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.<\/p>\n

registry.jp@undp.org<\/p>\n

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\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Bring Back the Childhood to the Children in Odesa, Ukraine\u00a0Join Yokohama and UNDP in restoring a playground\u00a0 A<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2605746,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_share_on_mastodon":"0"},"categories":[785000],"tags":[27404,380179,18964,5009,222441,764592,766415,766416,21438],"class_list":{"0":"post-2605745","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-ukraine","8":"tag-readyfor","9":"tag-ukraine","10":"tag-18964","11":"tag-5009","12":"tag-222441","13":"tag-764592","14":"tag-766415","15":"tag-766416","16":"tag-21438"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/wakoka.com\/@news\/114987005863148337","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wacoca.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2605745","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wacoca.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wacoca.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wacoca.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wacoca.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2605745"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.wacoca.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2605745\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wacoca.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2605746"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wacoca.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2605745"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wacoca.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2605745"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wacoca.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2605745"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}