A Week of Rest from the War

Today, the 16 children and their two accompanying teachers, Maryna and Liudmyla, are returning to Brovary to start the new school year with renewed energy and a suitcase full of wonderful memories of Erlangen. For one week, thanks to the generosity of donors and the active support of volunteers and partners, the 11- to 15-year-olds were able to take a break from the war and daily air raid sirens.

Hospitality and a Varied Program

After a journey of over 30 hours and a warm welcome with cake, their stay began at the Don Bosco Youth Residence run by the Don Bosco Youth Association of Bamberg in Forchheim—one girl had a birthday during the trip and another on the day of arrival, and two homemade cakes were lovingly served. This was followed by a Sunday at the Nuremberg Zoo, before Mayor Eva Linhart welcomed the group to Erlangen City Hall on Ukraine’s 35th Independence Day. The guests were also officially welcomed by Forchheim’s Third Mayor, Manfred Hümmer, who arranged for the children to visit the Königsbad.

In addition to excursions to Nuremberg, Bamberg, and a photo scavenger hunt through Erlangen, the group also visited the Erlangen City Museum, baked pretzels at Der Beck, and tried their hand at acrobatic exercises under the guidance of staff from the Giovanni Bamberg Circus.

Thanks to Supporters and Donors

The project was supported by and carried out in collaboration with Europe Prykhystok and many volunteers, including members of the Ukrainian volunteer initiative Spilnota.nbg. The funding for this recreational trip was made possible exclusively through numerous donations from the people of Erlangen.