Playing again – with a high-level visitor

Children stand in a row with cooking spoons as musical instruments
Children enjoy making music together with Germany’s First Lady, Elke Büdenbender (in the background, middle) Anastasiya Konovalova, Deputy Minister of Education and Science of Ukraine (in the background, right), representatives of the local administration (in the background, left)
Photos behind a fence show the destruction, including of the kindergarten #334
Pictures showing the destruction, seen through a metal fence

On the night of June 17, 2025, Ukraine experienced one of the most severe attacks since the beginning of the war: over 440 drones and more than 20 missiles were launched across the country. In Kyiv, the entrance to a residential building was completely destroyed, leaving 28 people dead. The nearby Kindergarten #334 also suffered significant damage as a result of the blasts: windows and doors were destroyed, ceilings were impacted, and the interior sustained major damage. Despite the destruction, part of the building remained operational, reflecting the determination of educators and families to maintaining a sense of normalcy and educational continuity for the children even amidst war.

Thanks to support from the German Federal Government through the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), UNICEF was able to swiftly initiate comprehensive renovation works at the kindergarten in Kyiv. With the provided funding, damaged windows and doors are being replaced, ceilings repaired, insulation and safety measures renewed, and the building fully restored for use. Scheduled for completion within three months, this project ensures that around 60 children can once again learn and play in a safe and welcoming environment from September onwards.

And the children have already welcomed an unusual visitor: Elke Büdenbender, the wife of Germany’s Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier visited the renovated kindergarten on 10 September 2025 as part of her visit to Ukraine. Together with the representatives of the Ukrainian Ministry of Education and Science, local administration, Kindergarten staff, UNICEF and KfW Elke Büdenbender was able to experience firsthand why Germany’s support to Ukraine through UNICEF is so important. She even had a chance to join the children in a musical performance!

The renovation of Kindergarten #334 is part of a broader German-funded program aimed at restoring modern, safe, and inclusive learning spaces across Ukraine. With funding from BMZ and financed by KfW, numerous educational facilities in regions particularly affected by the war have already been rehabilitated by UNICEF. In Kyiv, three kindergartens and one school are currently being refurbished, with the school having reopened to over 500 students on 1 September. In total, 31 schools and kindergartens in Kyiv, Chernihiv, and Zhytomyr have been restored, 94 facilities furnished with new equipment, and 700 schools given grants to strengthen energy resilience.

Blonde girl with a ponytail and fringes looks into the camera. Children play at a table in the background.
Five-year-old Mariia enjoys going to kindergarten, including the shelter: she can meet her friends there.