Children in 35 communities in Ukraine will begin this school year with new backpacks and school supplies provided by Jewish Relief Network Ukraine-Chabad.
This tradition, begun several years ago, is more important than ever, as most families are struggling to make ends meet and cannot afford new items for the kids. The 1,847 backpacks, sourced locally, are of the highest quality including orthopedic features to protect the backs of the young students. Toys and stationery items supplied by generous European partners, along with pencil boxes and educational materials will fill the attractive and colorful bags.
Unfortunately, many of these children won’t be able to take their new backpacks to school; they will have to study online as the schoolhouses remain shuttered. A new law requires that every school have a bomb shelter readily accessible to students and teachers. Moreover, the shelter must conform to safety specifications and have a ready supply of food and water, furniture, and a generator for power.
For decades, Or Avner has operated schools all across Ukraine, educating thousands of Jewish children. While the situation in the country is very dynamic, current plans call for 13 schools to open this year, along with 20 kindergartens. All told, 18 bomb shelters are needed: all but 3 of the schools and 5 of the kindergartens need shelters. Three schools require shelters to be constructed, ranging in cost from $8,000 to $45,000, while the other schools require repair work and equipment, such as generators. These range in cost from a high of $76,990 to a more modest $4,100. All told, the price tag to comply with the bomb shelter requirement and ensure schools are safe places for children to return and resume their education, is $378,840.
The Jewish Relief Network Ukraine and Chabad need your help to get the kids back to school!
Donate now at WWW.JRNU.ORG
