The war robbed Ukrainian children of almost everything—their homes, their sense of security, their daily lives, and their carefree childhoods. However, a school has been established in Jelenia Góra to help them remember who they are and where they come from.
Ukrainian Saturday School nurtures their language, culture and traditions, and above all, gives them a place where they can feel at home – even far from their homeland.
With the war still raging in Ukraine, thousands of families have been forced to make the dramatic decision to leave. Mothers and children fled to save their lives, leaving everything behind—homes, loved ones, friends, their language, traditions, and a sense of stability.
They found safety in Poland. But with it came a question: How to save what is most important – the Ukrainian identity of their children?
This is how the Ukrainian Saturday School in Jelenia Góra was born
In 2023 The Beginning Foundation, run by migrants and refugees from Ukraine, launched the Ukrainian Saturday School – a place created for children who suddenly found themselves far from their homeland, from everything that was close and familiar to them.
The school operates at 19 Krótka Street in the city center and attracts dozens of children from across the region every Saturday. It’s a space where children learn not only Ukrainian language, literature, and history. Above all, it’s a place where they can:
– feel who are they,
– to remember, where do they come from,
– to care for your language,
– strengthen Ukrainian traditions,
– find peers who understand their experiences.
Children aged 5–12 participate in classes in small, intimate groups, allowing for close contact with teachers and personalized attention. Classes are held every Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Teachers who understand the pain and hope of their students
The school is run by Ukrainian teachers—women who have themselves experienced emigration, fear, and separation. These are educators who teach with heart and support the children emotionally.
Parents emphasize that thanks to the school their children:
– they open up to others again,
– they start again speak Ukrainian,
– they are building new relationships and friendships,
– they feel here like at home.
Why is this school so important?
For many Ukrainian children, Poland has become a “second home,” but their hearts remain in Ukraine. The war robbed them of their sense of security, daily routine, and stability.
Ukrainian Saturday School helps them get it back by:
– continuing education in the native language,
– a sense of community that migrants so often lack,
– emotional support in a safe environment,
– contact with culture and history that build identity.
This is not an ordinary school – it is a micro-community that gives children hope and strength.
A place where Ukraine endures—even from afar
The school also organizes cultural events such as:
Ukrainian Speech and Literacy Day, workshops on traditions, shared reading, activities related to Ukrainian cuisine and Dictator of Unity, which connects the Ukrainian community throughout Poland.
This helps children feel proud of their roots and understand that their culture will live on—regardless of distance from their homeland.
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The Ukrainian Saturday School is supported by:
– volunteer work,
– support of the Beginning Foundation,
– small fees from parents,
– voluntary donations from people who are not indifferent to the fate of refugee families.
This is a project that is making a real difference to the lives of children in Jelenia Góra – but to continue, it needs stable support.
How to register a child?
Phone: 786 644 768 — school principal Mrs. Daryna
E-mail: fundacja.poczatek@gmail.com — contact for registration
How can you help?
If you want to support the school’s activities – financially or in kind – every form of help is of great importance.
Donations can be made to the account of the Beginning Foundation:
PLN (Santander Bank):
75 1090 1926 0000 0001 5398 9970
Title: Donation – Beginning Foundation
Foreign payments:
SWIFT: WBKPPLPP
IBAN: PL75 1090 1926 0000 0001 5398 9970
Your support helps:
– pay for room rental,
– buy educational materials,
– organize cultural events,
– provide psychological support to children,
– maintain a place where they feel safe.
“Here in Poland, but with Ukraine in my heart”
The Ukrainian Saturday School in Jelenia Góra is a project that demonstrates how solidarity, empathy, and education can transform the lives of refugee children. It’s a place where Ukraine lives—in its language, culture, and in the smiles and dreams of the youngest.
And this is a place we can create — together.
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