Minister brought Christmas and New Year greetings to the Ukrainian children, was interested in their learning and living conditions.
“I wish peace to Your Homeland and each and everyone’s home. That is the kindest possible gift,” Mr Minister said.
Linas Linkevičius underlined that Lithuania was proud to be able to help children from Ukraine that was fighting against the military aggression.
The pupils from Ukraine said they were eager to study the Lithuanian language, happy to visit historical places in Lithuania, and interested in our country’s culture.
Lithuania intends to continue next year with its support for the Ukrainian people who have been affected by the military operations.
The Ukrainian children who study at Vilnius Lithuanians’ School come from Donetsk and Luhansk, the regions which suffered from the Russian military aggression; there are children who lost their parents in the conflict. It is for the third year already that Lithuania has offered possibilities to children from Eastern Ukraine to spend a safe academic year in Lithuania. Lithuania hosted 16 children in the 2014–2015 academic year and 14 children in the 2015–2016 academic year. There are 15 children from the Ukrainian regions of Donetsk and Luhansk studying in Lithuania in the 2016–2017 academic year. A teacher of the Ukrainian language is accompanying them. The costs of their arrival, studies, accommodation and catering are covered by the Government of the Republic of Lithuania.
Lithuania supports other projects that involve assistance to children from Eastern Ukraine, too. For instance, Lithuania and Sweden together fund short stays of children from the affected Ukrainian regions in Lithuania. Special trainings are offered to teachers and school psychologists from Eastern Ukraine; art camps are organised for affected children. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Embassy of Lithuania to Ukraine contribute to volunteer charity actions when the goods and funds collected go to the children having suffered from the war in Eastern Ukraine.
