Solutions to win: Zhytomyr students raise nearly $5,000 for Ukraine’s armed forces at school fair

The Pokrovky Fair, which took place over two days at Lyceum No. 24 in Zhytomyr, raised nearly 218 thousand hryvnias for the soldiers of Ukraine's armed forces thanks to the efforts of schoolchildren.

Oksana Ahafonova, deputy director of educational work at the institution, reported that, according to Suspilne.

What is the problem?

"This time, the fair had a special theme as our history teacher, Vitaliy Mykolayovych Kolomiets, currently serving in Ukraine's armed forces, joined us. His fellow soldiers on the front line requested our assistance in purchasing a car for their combat missions. The team at the lyceum decided to support them. As we have one of the largest schools in the city with 1,800 full-time students, we organized this fair for two days to raise funds," Oksana Ahafonova said.

What is the solution?

Such fairs for the needs of Ukraine's armed forces are traditionally held at the lyceum, initiated by members of the student self-government.

How does it work?

According to the educational director of the institution, on the first day, the junior school held a fair, and on the second, the senior school.

^{Photo: provided by Oksana Ahafonova}

"On the fair's first day, 96,672 hryvnias were collected, and on the second – 121,185 hryvnias. Yesterday [September 30 — ed.], student government representatives handed over 100,000 hryvnias to the comrades of Vitaliy Kolomiyets to purchase a car. We still have over 100,000 hryvnias remaining, but we also partner with the Real Ukrainians charity fund and a private entrepreneur, Yevhen Shpakovsky, who produces drones. So, the remaining funds will go to the Real Ukrainians fund or be allocated to the drone manufacturer. We will update you soon on where the remainder of the collected amount will be used," the deputy director for educational work said.

Also, for the second consecutive year, students at the lyceum gather cans and cardboard, purchase paraffin, and create trench candles independently.

^{Photo: provided by Oksana Ahafonova}

"The student self-government directs almost 7 thousand hryvnias to the purchase of paraffin. Every Tuesday and every Thursday, our students gather after classes and make trench candles," Oksana Ahafonova said.

For reference:

It's worth mentioning that the students at the International Ukrainian School of Lithuania raised over 3,700 euros for the benefit of Ukraine's armed forces through the "Golden Autumn 2024" charity school fair.

Rubryka also mentioned that on September 29, a cycling event for people of all ages and a relaxed bike ride on Trukhaniv Island occurred in Kyiv. This philanthropic occasion aimed to gather donations for the Air Defense Forces of the Kyiv region.