Global Empowerment Mission restores Chernihiv’s largest school, damaged by Russian forces

Chernihiv School No. 19, which is one of the largest in this northern Ukrainian city, damaged by shelling and bombing by the Russian forces in March of last year, is being restored with the assistance of the international organization and disaster relief charity Global Empowerment Mission.

Rubryka reports, referring to the Chernihiv City Council's report.

"The school building was damaged due to four direct strikes and eight explosions near the school. All 515 windows were blown out, 170 doors, and a roof of 350 m² was damaged. The heating and power supply systems, indoor facilities, gym and assembly hall, library, and swimming pool were destroyed," the statement said.

Thanks to Michael Capponi, Global Empowerment Mission President, and the NGO Quality of Life Foundation, the school purchased 984 m² of windows. They were installed with financing from the Chernihiv City Territorial Community.

"Today, we can make a commitment and put desks in the school," Capponi said during a visit to the school.

The overhaul of this facility involves two work stages with the financing of UAH 41.5 million. Some of these works have already been completed and financed for almost UAH 26.8 million. The roof and heating system have already been restored, and the interior and lighting are being renovated.

"There will be a third phase — a swimming pool, some internal repairs, and complete thermal modernization. The task is to make school No.19 exemplary so the children return here sooner. The sooner we restore offline education, the sooner the children will return to classes," the acting city mayor Oleksandr Lomako emphasized.

School No.19 is already preparing to resume full-time work on September 1, 2023, having started accepting documents from future first-graders.