We are very much concerned to watch the people of Ukraine struggle through a harsh winter, aggravated further by Russian attacks on the country’s energy infrastructure. The situation in Kyiv is truly dire, with thousands of people left without heating, hot water, or even a basic sense of security. In Ivano-Frankivsk, it is not as dramatic as in the capital. There are schedules for power cuts, although in January there were days when electricity was only available for a few hours. Sometimes four. Sometimes six. And yet, even in these conditions, life goes on. Children come to class. They laugh. They learn. They create. They dream.

Anastasiia, a long-time coordinator of St. Nicholas Day Care Center in Ivano-Frankivsk, reassures us: "If there is no electricity in the day care center until noon, it does not have a major impact on our work. However, when the power outage occurs during class hours, even though we have a backup portable power station, we try to save energy – we conduct classes by candlelight so that the battery lasts longer. If the power outages last even longer, we have generators, fuel, and oil. The generators are serviced, so we are also prepared for worse scenarios. In the event of an emergency, we are ready to set up a center for children at the day care center with heat, light, food, and activities."

Fortunately, there is no need for that at the moment, and activities at the day care center continue at a steady pace. The schedule is almost bursting at the seams: ceramics workshops, handicraft workshops, sewing and cutting courses, painting and woodworking classes, cooking courses for children aged 9-11, acting workshops for teenagers.

Once more, a course on emotions led by a psychologist is being held: it’s called “The Book of Your Strength”, and has been designated for younger children.

First aid classes are held regularly at the center. Teachers also make sure that remedial classes and educational courses preparing for school exams are available.

At the beginning of January, winter day camps were held at the day care center. SEE FOR YOURSELF how beautiful it was!

Children from the center go on trips that broaden their horizons and teach them about the beauty of the world. One of these trips was to the Ivano-Frankivsk Philharmonic, where the children listened to a Christmas saxophone concert.

The children also visited the modern Promprylad Innovation Center in Ivano-Frankivsk, where the Ukrainian national pavilion from the EXPO 2025 exhibition in Osaca was moved. The Ukrainian pavilion, entitled “Not For Sale,” presents a store where nothing can be bought because each product tells a story that is too precious. Instead of goods, 18 objects symbolizing fundamental values such as freedom, dignity, and resilience, for which Ukraine stands during the war, are on display, and the barcodes on the displayed products, when scanned, take you to images and recordings from the front lines or war-torn areas of Ukraine, i.e. real-life stories showing the price Ukrainians are paying for defending these values.

Anastasiia also thanked the Polish people for their generosity in mobilizing to donate to “Warmth for Kyiv”: "I am following this fundraiser and am encouraged with its results. Thank you very much! The situation in Kyiv is difficult—much depends on the district and the readiness of its residents. But for elderly and lonely people who have no one close by their side it was difficult to prepare... In Kyiv, electricity is turned on chaotically, for an hour or two around the clock, and some people carry on without electricity for several days. There are houses that have not had hot water for a very long time. Any support in such a situation is worth its weight in gold! Thank you very much!”

The Saint Nicholas Foundation has been helping children in Ukraine since 2019, when we opened our St. Nicholas Day Care Center in Mariupol. That day care center was destroyed as a result of Russian actions in March 2022, and today’s center in Ivano-Frankivsk is its continuation. It is a modern and fully equipped place where we provide care for children displaced from eastern Ukraine. It is a beautiful and picturesque place that provides children with educational and psychological care. The place is equipped with a soundproof room for psychological consultations and individual therapy, a large playroom, a creative space with a workshop, and even a small stage and professional sound system. The day care center is adjacent to a park and a lake, which gives children plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities.

Thanks to the donors of the Saint Nicholas Foundation, thousands of children in need have been helped. However, we must not forget that the war is still going on and the sea of needs is growing. We appeal for help and ask for your generosity. How can you help?

1) Make an on-line donation via: www mikolaj.org.pl/Ukraina

2) Donate to:

SWIFT Code: PKOP PL PW

IBAN (EUR): PL95 1240 6003 1978 0010 8524 6705

IBAN (USD): PL30 1240 6003 1787 0010 8524 6561

IBAN (GBP): PL02 1240 6003 1789 0010 8524 6965

PayPal: [email protected]