Lithuania funds reconstruction of kindergarten in war-torn Irpin

On Thursday, August 24, the restored Ruta kindergarten was reopened in Irpin, Kyiv region. The Russian forces destroyed it in the first one of the full-scale war.

The Kyiv Regional Military Administration reports that Lithuania took over all its reconstruction costs.

What is the problem?

Before the Russian invasion, it was one of the largest preschools in the Irpin community. Due to shelling and fires, the facility was damaged by 75%. The roof and partially external and internal walls were destroyed, and windows, doors, facades, furniture, kitchen utensils, etc., were broken.

What is the solution?

The Lithuanian government has allocated €4.4 million to restore the kindergarten in Irpin and equip it with the necessary equipment.

How does it work?

During the reconstruction, a third floor was added to the building, the builders repaired the premises, equipped a new kitchen, and put the shelter in order. Now, the kindergarten will be able to accommodate 500 pupils.

The President of Lithuania, Gitanas Nauseda, visited the opening ceremony. The opening ceremony was held with the participation of representatives of the Lithuanian delegation and local authorities.

"Lithuania and all its people support Ukraine, so we have already provided more than €1 billion for reconstruction, military, and humanitarian aid. And this is only from the government. There are also many private institutions, non-governmental organizations, which, I think, together raised the same amount once again," said Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda.

He said that Lithuania would help Ukraine in reconstruction and victory in the war as soon as possible.

"I am very pleased to see such a wonderful Ruta kindergarten, and I can only imagine how happy the children will be here. I believe that children, seeing the flag of Lithuania, will think about the state where many people who love Ukraine live," the Lithuanian leader noted.

The head of the Kyiv Regional Military Administration, Ruslan Kravchenko, added that thanks to such countries as Lithuania, there is an opportunity to restore the Kyiv region and make plans for the future.

"Thank you very much for this opportunity not to lose the dream for the future. Thanks to your efforts, there is a kindergarten in which almost 500 children will study," said Kravchenko, addressing Nauseda.

The mayor of Irpin, Oleksandr Markushin, emphasized that the Lithuanian government has 100 percent financed the reconstruction of this kindergarten. Lithuania rebuilt a kindergarten in 6.5 months.

The Lithuanian delegation and representatives of local authorities inspected this preschool facility, which has, in particular, play areas with new toys, a kitchen, sports grounds, and a bomb shelter.

According to Irpin Mayor, the kindergarten has a notification system, a fire alarm system, and video surveillance.

The President of Lithuania was given thanks for his support in the reconstruction of educational institutions of the Irpin community and symbolic gifts, including a book about Irpin.

The authorities of the Kyiv region also presented a thank you to Valdemaras Sarapinas, the Lithuanian ambassador to Ukraine, for his personal contribution to the restoration of the social infrastructure of the Irpin community.

Background

As reported by the Kyiv School of Economics (KSE), as of June 2023, education remains one of the sectors most affected by Russia's attack.

"Direct documented damages from the destruction of educational institutions amount to $9.7 billion. In total, as a result of hostilities, almost 3,400 educational institutions have already been damaged," the report says.

The KSE added that the greatest losses from destruction and damage to educational institutions were in the Kharkiv, Donetsk, Chernihiv, Zaporizhia, and Kyiv regions.