Olena Zelenska Foundation is initiating a project to rebuild a new children's creative and sports hub in the town of Borodianka, located in the Kyiv region. The building was destroyed by Russian forces during the occupation of the town in the spring of 2022. The reconstruction of the facility is planned with a budget of $1 million USD.
The team of the Foundation, led by its founder Olena Zelenska, along with the director of Ukrainian initiatives of the Foundation, Krystina Waler, and the head of the Kyiv Regional State Administration, Ruslan Kravchenko, visited the site where the former Children's Center was located. They discussed the initial steps for implementing this joint project.
The destroyed center previously housed the Borodianka Children and Youth Creativity Center, the Children and Youth Sports School, and the Children's School of Arts.
The funds for the construction of the new creative and sports hub in Borodianka will be provided by the Temerty family, who’ve been collaborating with the Foundation of the First Lady of Ukraine since the beginning of the full-scale war.
"The Temerty family from Canada is among the most significant Ukrainian benefactors of our time. They come from Ukraine and never forget their roots. The Temerty Foundation was one of the first to join the newly established Olena Zelenska Foundation last year. Our collaboration has allowed us to support and provide the necessary assistance to large foster families who have lost their homes and residents of the occupied territories throughout the year. Now we introduce new joint projects, which will allow us to help an even greater number of Ukrainians," said the First Lady Olena Zelenska.
"Before the full-scale war, Borodianka was a center for sports and extracurricular activities not only for local children, but also for children from neighboring communities. Currently, the building of children's creativity and sports has been completely destroyed by the Russian occupiers. Together with the Temerty Foundation, we are investing in the future of our children," said Nina Horbachova, Director of Olena Zelenska Foundation.
"I'm impressed by the perseverance of Ukrainians, their desire to rebuild destroyed cities and move on with their lives. Education, culture and sports help to develop creative skills and quickly adapt to adult life. It is very important to give children the opportunity to attend clubs, paint and practice in their favorite sports section as soon as possible. That is why we are pleased to support the initiative of Olena Zelenska Foundation to restore a creative and sports hub in Borodianka," said Krystina Waler, Director of Ukrainian Initiatives at the Temerty Foundation.
Additional Information:
The Temerty Family Foundation consistently supports the projects of Olena Zelenska Foundation. One year ago, they were among the first to participate in providing humanitarian aid to the residents of the temporarily occupied regions of Ukraine. Thanks to their contribution of $500,000, Olena Zelenska Foundation supported the people of the occupied Kharkiv region. They purchased powerful generators for three districts of the region to ensure the uninterrupted operation of hospitals, educational institutions, and critical infrastructure. They also provided essential items to over two thousand internally displaced persons.