Olena Zelenska Foundation Equipped a Modern Shelter at a Hub Lyceum in the Kyiv Region and Launches the “Safe School” Project

Olena Zelenska Foundation Equipped a Modern Shelter at a Hub Lyceum in the Kyiv Region and Launches the “Safe School” Project

First Lady Olena Zelenska, together with her Foundation’s team, Ambassador of Austria to Ukraine Robert Müller, and Head of Building and Property Management Department of the Lower Austrian Government Christoph Reiter, visited one of the lyceums in Kaharlyk, Kyiv region.

The Foundation restored and equipped an approximately 800-square-meter shelter within the lyceum building. Nearly 900 children attend the lyceum, one-third of whom commute daily from nearby villages.

Olena Zelenska expressed her gratitude to the partners for their support – thanks to Lower Austria’s assistance, the renovated shelter now includes spaces for study and rest and is fully accessible for people with disabilities. Rescuers, police officers, and emergency medical specialists conduct training for students on mine safety, fire safety, road safety, and first aid.

“Today, a school must be not just a protected building but a fully functional space for life – with warmth and light, hot meals, and the feeling of a familiar rhythm of the day. That is why, at the Foundation, we are gradually expanding our approach and working not only on shelters but also on other critically important elements of educational infrastructure,” the First Lady noted.

According to the President’s wife, the Foundation is launching a new comprehensive project, Safe School. As part of this initiative, the lyceum in Kaharlyk will have its kitchen facilities modernized, including renovation of the kitchen and dining hall, installation of modern technological equipment, and upgrades to the furniture. After the modernization, the kitchen facilities will be able to provide balanced meals to an additional 400 children from five neighboring institutions.

“We believe that even during wartime, children must be able to learn in safe, dignified, and comfortable conditions. This is exactly what our team works on every day – providing comprehensive support to educational institutions so that every child can grow in an environment that meets their needs and ensures their safety,” Olena Zelenska emphasized.

Since last year, the Foundation has restored and equipped more than 30 shelters in schools and kindergartens across Kyiv, Poltava, Chernihiv, Mykolaiv, Dnipro, Odesa, Sumy regions and in Zaporizhzhia. In 2026, the restoration and equipping of at least 50 more shelters is planned.