Every penny helps. Thank you so much for your support.
Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the lives of children across the country have been turned upside down and the normality of the school day has disappeared.
Against a backdrop of air raid sirens, parents fear sending their children to school and thousands of educational facilities have been damaged or destroyed. Even accessing online learning is challenging as attacks on the nation’s energy infrastructure have caused widespread blackouts, stopping children from getting online and into their virtual classrooms.
British Homes and Schools for Ukrainians (BHSU) is an organisation working to help Ukrainians find a safe home in the UK during the ongoing crisis and offering support as they rebuild their lives through education and employment opportunities.
BHSU is asking for support to give Ukrainian students the chance to take part in summer schools at British boarding schools this August. The hope is to raise £50,000 which will allow up to 50 Ukrainian children to travel to the UK and benefit from fun, educational programmes.
Why Summer Schools?
Summer schools provide a great boost to children’s education which has been interrupted since the war began but it’s about so much more than learning. For children who have grown used to trying to study while sheltering underground, it’s a chance to see a new country, experience a different culture and make friends - all while having fun. And for their parents, summer schools offer some much needed respite, knowing their children are safe and cared for.
We need your help now
As Ukraine is hit by a fresh wave of attacks and daily air raid sirens become the new normal, the psychological trauma felt by children is only growing. With summer fast approaching, we want to give Ukrainian children the chance to feel like children again, getting back into the classroom and, most importantly, having fun.
A summer to remember
In Summer 2022, BHSU were able to provide summer school programmes to 11 Ukrainian children who had fled the war and saw the incredible impact on their wellbeing.
One of these children was Andriy, who at just 12 years old had already been forced to flee his home twice. When he was only 5, his hometown of Donetsk was invaded by Russia and then last year, as bombs fell on Kyiv, Andriy had to say goodbye to his home again as he and his mother escaped the city to find safety - a journey which took them to the UK.
After so much turmoil, Westonbirt summer school provided weeks of peace, safety and relaxation. Through trips to London, Bath and even the Harry Potter studio, Andriy’s confidence soared and he began to feel comfortable in a new country with a new language.
How you can help
With your donation, we can offer more Ukrainian children the chance to experience summer school in the UK. For children who remain in Ukraine because their families are unable to leave or have decided to stay back, it will be a much needed break from the realities of war.
£50,000 will enable us to bring up to 50 children over to the UK to enjoy programmes ranging from 2 to 4 weeks.
Help us to let children be children for the summer.
About BHSU
British Homes and Schools for Ukrainians (BHSU) is a Community Interest Company formed in March 2022 following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. It is the joint effort of Business Link educational agency and Living Learning English (LLE). Business Link has been helping students learn in British boarding schools and universities for over 25 years. While LLE specialises in one-to-one courses and homestay experiences, giving students the chance to fully immerse themselves in British life as they study.
Their Story
BHSU came about following Valeria (CEO of Business Link) and Tatiana’s (Founder of Business Link) own journey to the UK. When Kyiv found itself under attack, the mother and daughter team were forced to leave their home. Travelling through Poland and Italy, they arrived in the UK in May 2022 after LLE’s founder, Kate, helped to connect them with sponsors in Britain. As Valeria and Tatiana set about rebuilding their own lives in a new country, they wanted to create a support system between the UK and Ukraine that would help others to do the same.
Together Valeria, Tatiana and Kate began BHSU, combining the expertise of Business Link and Living Learning English. Over the last year they have built a growing community providing opportunities for Ukrainians to learn, work and thrive in their lives in the UK until it is finally safe to return home.
Their Work
BHSU began by providing support with housing and matching displaced Ukrainians with vetted British sponsors. Over a year into the crisis, BHSU are focusing their efforts on education (Primary, Secondary and Tertiary) and learning (including adult language courses and employability training), as well as the provision of a bi-lingual helpline to guide and support Ukrainians looking to reach the UK for safety as well as those already in the country.
Prospero World adopted BHSU in June 2022.