Room for Hope

Forced displacement takes a huge toll on the mental and physical health of every soul. Children are particularly vulnerable to the stress of instability and insecurity caused by fleeing their homes.

Three weeks ago, our team landed in the Romanian capital to help and support Ukrainian refugees in the country. On November 11, we launched our campaign “together We Can” in a former school dorm which was transformed by its own students into temporary accommodations for Ukrainian families where over the past 9 months more than 2000 people have been passing through this shelter. Today, this four-floor building is a home for around 250 women, children, and elderly. So far, our team handed hundreds of warm KEEN footwear to help them cope with the cold weather also, we distributed a cotton bag for her/him full of all the necessary items they need in their daily life as well, each family received a kettle to have the freedom of making warm drinks in their own rooms.  

To help ease some of the children’s stress we renovated, furnished, and equipped a common room with the goal to create a safe and welcoming space for all 67 girls and boys residing with their families in the shelter. Ensuring a safe and healthy environment for the young ones is a pillar of our foundation.

As you walk up the stairs to the first floor of the shelter you can hear the buzzing and giggles of the young ones playing in the corridors near a 6 x 7 m2 common children’s room. While we were fixing the cartoon decorated walls and painting them a light blue color, children and parents peeked through the entrance excited to see the improvements. We adorned the area with nicer lights and joyful rugs and brought in new furniture including a comfortable sofa as well as new tables and chairs. We also filled the room with entertainment and toys adding a foosball table, TV, bowling, drawing boards, Lego sets and other items.

“Room for Hope” now has been transformed into a brighter and warmer space, one that ensures a safe environment in which the children can play and express themselves while they try to adjust to the difficult changes they face as refugees.

“together We Can” is our current campaign in Romania in a partnership with our long-term supporter KEEN to help and empower Ukrainian refugees. See more here: Togetherwecan