"Can we stay here even when there’s no air raid alert?" How Myrhorod community renovated a school shelter

Is it possible to make a school shelter a place for learning, relaxation and even inspiration?

Myrhorod Lyceum named after T. H. Shevchenko in Poltava region has proven that a school shelter can be more than just a place for safety. Thanks to the dedication of the community and support from the DECIDE project, it has been transformed into a modern and welcoming space. However, the journey was not easy.

"In the beginning, the shelter looked like a storage room filled with old desks and chairs. There was no proper flooring, just dirt, and the lighting was minimal. We did what we could—cleaned up, put up drawings to make it more cheerful for the children. But during lessons, the dust was unbearable," recalls the lyceum’s headteacher, Iryna Shevchenko.

Through the "DECIDE: RECONSTRUCTION" initiative, the community turned the shelter into a modern space equipped with televisions, computers, a 3D printer, and board games. Additionally, with the support of a mini-grant, students created their own "Space of Opportunities."

"Each of us had a chance to showcase our talents. It was challenging, but we did it! This project gave us a true sense of teamwork," shares Year 11 student Tymofii Solodovnyk.

How did the shelter become a space of dreams? How can one project change the life of an entire community? And what are the plans for this space after the war?

Find out more in the full article: https://bit.ly/4gpH6xp