July 25th, 2023

By Joseph Nichols, Organizer

When the war started in 2022 the “keeping the kid’s learning” program jumped in to support, when and where it could, the Internally Displaced People (IDP) – specifically children and young adults. IDP is a UN Refugee Agency designation for people forced from their homes. When I arrived in Ukraine in 2014, IDP’s had already flooded in from Crimea and the occupied regions of Donetsk and Luhansk in Eastern Ukraine… also referred to as The Donbas. It could be argued that the war started in 2014, and in reality the U.S., Canada, and others began training and assisting the Ukrainians in 2015 in almost all aspects of civilian and defense programs (e.g. Police, Finance, Medical, Infrastructure, Military,…..).

Keeping The Kids Learning started as dental program in 2015, though my day-job was assisting multiple projects involving logistics and technical training. Today, the program serves as form of organized social and activities program that also serves as a vehicle to deliver basic health and hygiene supplies, health and dental monitoring, and basic educational, English language, and arts programs. The program employs IDP teachers that are paid a small stipend (about $30 a month), and volunteers from Ukraine, the U.S., UK, and other countries to help. Many of the volunteers split their time between the various groups working in Ukraine.

“Keeping The Kid’s Learning” also means Keeping The Kid’s Safe. Aside from drones and missiles there are numerous threats always nearby. Human trafficking has been endemic throughout Eastern Europe for years and many “pop-up” cafes and clubs are nothing more than traps for the older girls, and boys. We’ve been to many, with more than a few confrontations with the operators.

Parents and Grandparents are always welcome to stay with the kids.

Our “classroom” spaces are generally donated by owners that want to help the children. We started in one city in the west and through the winter averaged eighteen locations in six cities. In rural areas we usually worked out of empty shop space. With our sister organization, Care4Ukraine.Org, we have delivered everything from solar generators to short-wave radios throughout Ukraine. I am currently in the United States assembling equipment and supplies for the upcoming autumn/winter. An end to the war seems very distant, and we cannot wait for winter to begin preparing deliveries. Getting supplies into Ukraine takes time and planning – and money. The donated space on commercial airlines no longer is an option, and the logistics of transport and petrol in Ukraine is complex. Most of our supplies are transported via ocean containers (except medical supplies) and are routed through southern regions instead of coming from Poland. I will explain why in the next update. The attached map is just an FYI for understanding a unique border situation.

If anyone has questions, please reach out to me. Thank you.