‘It's fun and you can play here’: Rinat Akhmetov Foundation's New Year's event for displaced children from Mariupol in Dnipro

For 24 years in a row, Rinat Akhmetov to Children New Year's campaign has been proving that miracles and joy can happen even in the darkest times. Recently, the Foundation's team visited Dnipro to bring a festive mood to children who used to live in Mariupol.

The colourful event took place in a dormitory, one of those created in Dnipro under the #I'MariupolHousing initiative - Rinat Akhmetov Foundation is a partner of this project. Many children live there, and in a matter of minutes the spacious hall was filled with music, noise and fun.

‘This is just the beginning: similar holidays will be held in other institutions throughout Ukraine: family-type orphanages, I'Mariupol centres, etc.’, emphasises Mykhailo Katerynchak, Project Manager of Rinat Akhmetov Foundation.

Boys and girls got to know fairy-tale characters, solved riddles, competed in contests and enjoyed small surprises.

‘I used to host New Year's celebrations myself, so these are pleasant memories for me. I am glad that our children also have such useful and fun events. They help them to express their emotions instead of holding them back,’ said one of the mothers.

She added that this was more important for the children than it might seem, as the events left deep traumas that will remain with them for a long time.

‘We danced, sang, played with paper snowballs, had fun and received gifts. I liked throwing snowballs the most. In general, I like New Year's holidays because it's fun, you can play, they give you toys and sweets,’ says little Nicole.

The New Year's campaign is part of the large-scale Rinat Akhmetov to Children programme, which provides comprehensive assistance to children in Ukraine. This is one of the priority areas of assistance of Rinat Akhmetov Foundation. Over the years, Rinat Akhmetov Foundation has supported more than 5 million children.

Thanks to Rinat Akhmetov to Children programme, young Ukrainians receive medical treatment, hearing aids, undergo psychological and physical rehabilitation, and have the opportunity to develop and realise their dreams.

Rinat Akhmetov to Children. Help that gives tomorrow. https://akhmetovfoundation.org/news