The Children of War. Graduate of Ukraine

The “Children of War. Graduate” initiative, a collaborative effort between Help Ukraine Monaco and the Svitlana Legka-led Svitly Charitable Foundation, addresses the psychological well-being of Ukrainian youth impacted by the ongoing russian aggression.

This project, launched amidst the disruption to their lives, studies, social interactions, and traditional graduation celebrations, provides a formal graduation ceremony for Ukrainian students affected by the conflict, bolstering morale and fostering hope for the future.
The project’s scope is substantial:

over 40 hours of filming
across 4 cities and 10 locations,
volunteer team of nearly 30 individuals
almost 200 formal garments (dresses and suits) and 50 pairs of shoes.

This initiative provided celebratory photographic sessions and gifts to 125 graduating students from frontline and temporarily occupied territories. Including students from Buchansky District (Gostomel Lyceum, Andriyivska Gymnasium, Makariv OTG, Novokorogodsk and Shibensk schools of Borodyan OTG), Vyshgorod District (Fenevichi Village), Kramatorsk, Kherson Oblast (Kyzymys Village), and the temporarily occupied areas of Zaporizhzhia Oblast (Energodar, Melitopol, Vasylivka, Kamianka-Dniprovska, Kyrylivka, Gladke, Blagovishchenka, Okhrimivka, Yakymivka), as well as graduates of Mariupol University.

The students received professional hair, makeup, and styling services, along with professional photography in their graduation attire. All clothing and shoes used in the photo sessions, plus graduation albums, were gifted to the participants.

Graduation is a momentous occasion deserving of lasting commemoration, ideally captured in stunning photographs. The project organizers, the Svitlana Legka’s Charity Foundation “Svitlii” and The “Help Ukraine Monaco” team (Zhanna Soldatova and Kateryna Fedai), engaged citizens of Monaco, France, and other European nations, resulting in the collection of over 150 evening gowns. Furthermore, 30 dresses were generously donated by volunteer and philanthropist Nika Bilotserkivska, and an additional 15 were provided by Miss Ukraine Universe.

Lead stylists Andrii Yudin, Lena Tvelina, Lyera Gornostay, Kostya Siyanytsia, Angela Posohova, Iryna Astakhova, Svitlana Mosalova, and Nataliya Trokhimchuk contributed to the image creation on set, along with Natalia Shaparenko, Ivanna Shinkarenko, and others.

Photography was provided by Anton Kulakovsky, Valdemar Harlushko, Oleg Soshko, Valentina Petrovych and Serhiy Vovk.

We consider supporting young people during these challenging times to be essential. “Children of war. The Graduate” embodies our commitment to providing children with unforgettable experiences that foster resilience and optimism.

The “Help Ukraine Monaco” team and the Svitlana Legka’s Charity Foundation “Svitlii” present the photo exhibition “The Children of War” as part of the project “Children of War. Graduate 2024”, which is a moving testimony to the tragedy experienced by Ukrainian youth, a generation that became a victim of war. The exhibition will be held in the AIAP UNESCO Committee Hall 10 Quai Antoine 1er, on the first floor, from 01/23/2025 to 01/30/2025 with the support of the Monaco City Hall and the AIAP UNESCO Committee.

This project, initiated by Svitlana Legkoa’s “Svitly” charitable foundation, involves fundraising for the reconstruction and furnishing of student shelters in Borodyansk OTG, Buchansk district.
The estimated cost is UAH 3,000,000.

Take care of the safety and future of the children of Ukraine – support the project and join the charity collection. We appreciate your help!

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Posts about the project: