Kidsave Helps Teens in Ukraine Celebrate the Holiday in Safety
This holiday season, we proved that Christmas Miracles can still happen even in the midst of war. On Saint Nicholas Day, Kidsave’s Mentoring Association hosted a Christmas party for the teens and their mentors in the program at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Kyiv.
Thankfully, parts of Kyiv have remained undamaged and continue to have access to electricity despite persistent air strikes. We were fortunate to have many guests join us for this event as we celebrated the holiday and the achievements of the wonderful youth in the Pathway to Success program.
The teens in the program came up with the idea for the celebration and—under the guidance of one of our mentors, Maria—they planned and organized the whole event themselves. Everyone was able to choose the role they would play in the event, and they set to work. The day of the event, they greeted the guests, performed, and shared the stories of their successes and struggles. They shared how the war has impacted them and how they have continued to work hard and succeed despite the immense challenges they have faced. One of the favorite memories they shared was when the group went to Vinnytsia and met Kidsave’s Angels of Hope, a team of brave volunteers who rescue and evacuate people to safety and deliver life-saving humanitarian aid to those in need.
There was not a single person who was not touched to the core by the teens’ stories of their growth and transformation since participating in the Pathway to Success program and how the war has changed their lives. The guests and mentors alike were all amazed at the hard work and dedication of the youth which resulted in a wonderful event.
One guest, a woman named Marina, said, “I want to thank the organizers, hosts, and all of participants of the event. The atmosphere was fantastic, and the children were outstanding! They were all so well-spoken, and being able to talk about serious things with such warmth and humor is a talent.”
After their presentations, the youth presented certificates of appreciation to the companies and organizations who help make the Pathway to Success program possible. In response to this act of appreciation, Serhii Bruzhkovskyi of METRO Cash and Carry Ukraine said, “I am proud that we have such wonderful people and organizations in our country who care and understand how important mentoring is!”
At the very end of the event, the children received wonderful gifts from our good friends and supporters. After all, it isn’t St. Nicholas Day without gifts! Our “Christmas Miracles” event truly became a day full of miracles for both the youth and adults in attendance. Days like this prove that sometimes all you need to make your dreams come true is a small step, a wise older friend by your side, and faith in yourself.
We are sincerely grateful to everyone who participated in our Christmas Miracles event! This year once again proved to us that we are surrounded by extraordinary people.
A special thanks to our reliable partners Boeing, Hyatt Regency Kyiv, METRO, National Film Studio Dovzhenko, Obraz, KFC, Winner Group, Kyiv City Center of Social Services, Center for Social Support for Children and Families of the Dnipro District of Kyiv, Service for children and families of the Dnipro RSA of Kyiv, friends and volunteers of the CF “From a Sincere Heart”, the church Vysota, and, of course, our dear mentors and guests.
Thanks to your kind hearts, support and reliable shoulder, our youth spread their wings and confidently conquer new horizons! Happy holidays!
