Himnaziya Public School in Mohyliv Podilskyi, western Ukraine, is one of the oldest schools in the region of Vinnytsia Oblast.
The school principal, Mr. Antonly, warmly welcomed SGA Representatives and then proudly began to show them around. It brought to their minds memories of being back at school… empty corridors, colourful notice boards, a noisy kitchen. So many things seemed familiar.
They stopped on their tour and were informed that this particular floor was the bomb shelter area for students and staff whenever the siren would sound, a reminder that they were in war-torn Ukraine.
A bell then rang, and they had the opportunity first to meet with staff, and then fifteen minutes later with a classroom of students. On both occasions, they brought greetings and shared a short message of hope based on God’s love, care and sovereign purposes for each of our lives.
Most of those whom they met had relatives serving in the war, and some had already lost loved ones. Few words were spoken, but the silence and facial expressions displayed fear and uncertainty.
‘We will never forget this day back at school… we learnt so much’!
The SGA team left the classrooms and made their way to the staff working tirelessly and enthusiastically in the kitchen. It became very clear that this was no ordinary kitchen and the people here were not simply good cooks.
They listened intently to what had been happening in this school over the last year. Shortly after the war broke out thousands began fleeing from eastern Ukraine. Hundreds of families needed to be fed.
The school sent the children home to study while their school became a centre for internally displaced families. Many of the staff worked sacrificially and on a voluntary basis to provide for their fellow Ukrainians. SGA was able to provide funding to purchase much needed kitchen equipment, as well as food supplies at a time of crisis and great uncertainty for so many.
The staff thanked the team and all in the UK and Ireland for their love and generosity.