Solutions from Ukraine: new inclusive underground school opens in Zaporizhzhia
Photo: savED Foundation
Another underground school has opened in Zaporizhzhia, providing education for approximately a thousand children. This new facility was built from scratch on the grounds of the specialized boarding school Sichovyi Collegium, funded by the state and supported by a charitable contribution from the savED Foundation and KFC in Ukraine.
Rubryka reports this.
What is the solution?
Local authorities in Zaporizhzhia established a new underground school within six months by seeking assistance from philanthropists. The construction project, valued at over 112 million hryvnias, was completed through co-financing from a state subsidy and the local budget.
How does it work?
This is the third new school in the region, created completely underground. It has 17 classrooms, inclusive restrooms, a recreation area, a gym, and a medical office. The institution also has video surveillance, and it is equipped with generators in case of power outages.
Photo: savED Foundation
Photo: savED Foundation
Three hundred students from the Sichovyi Collegium boarding school, who were previously attending lessons online, can now study in a mixed format at the new underground facility. The classrooms also have sufficient capacity to accommodate students from other institutions. Notably, 50 children from deoccupied communities and relocated schools in the region have already begun attending classes in the new underground school. About a thousand students will be taught here across several shifts.
Photo: savED Foundation
Photo: savED Foundation
Photo: savED Foundation
"Crucially, this underground facility is a comprehensive educational space, not merely a shelter. It enables children to continue their studies safely and with proper lighting during extended air raids. For savED, establishing such underground spaces in frontline communities is a current and future priority. Similar facilities already exist in the Mykolaiv region, and collaboration has begun in Zaporizhzhia, with plans to expand the initiative further," Anna Putsova, co-founder of the savED Foundation, says.
Photo: savED Foundation
Photo: savED Foundation
Photo: savED Foundation
Photo: savED Foundation
In addition, the savED Foundation and KFC in Ukraine organized a collection of 3 million hryvnias among caring Ukrainians to furnish and renovate the space.
The "Collection with a Star" initiative is currently ongoing. It aims to fund the establishment of another learning shelter. You can contribute by purchasing one of the unique items on the KFC menu in Ukraine, with the proceeds directly supporting this charitable effort.
Photo: savED Foundation
"As part of the "Collection with a Star" initiative, we have raised over 7 million hryvnias so far, but the ultimate goal is to reach 10.5 million hryvnias. The clear mechanics of the collection and the regular updates to the participating products kept the campaign engaging and accessible for Ukrainians, making it easy to support. We plan to continue backing educational efforts throughout the war," KFC representatives in Ukraine say.
For reference:
savED is a charitable foundation that is engaged in restoring access to education in communities affected by the war. The foundation equips shelters and educational centers "Hives," restores damaged school premises and temporary educational spaces, and involves teenagers in reconstructing and developing their communities through the UActive program. The foundation operates in Chernihiv, Kyiv, Mykolaiv, Kharkiv, and Dnipropetrovsk regions.
