Enhancing learning for Ukrainian children in Moldova through innovative non-formal education

“We are very grateful for this project, since it's helping Ukrainian children who are studying online, not just with entertainment or extra-curricular activities, but also the opportunity to attend face-to-face sessions and have the support of qualified teachers," says Svitlana, Anna’s mother, who sought refuge from Ukraine in neighboring Moldova.

The project funded by the Disasters Emergency Committee aims to deliver emergency relief and recovery assistance, to strengthen resilience and to meet the basic and protection needs of refugees and host community members in light of the ongoing war in Ukraine and the refugee crisis in Moldova.

“Step by Step, our local partner, is an added value to the DEC-funded project. They are ensuring that a large number of Ukrainian refugees can access non-formal education programs and support services,” shares Viorica Bulat, World Vision's project manager in Moldova.

These after-school activities designed for Ukrainian refugee children help them connect and work on their cognitive and emotional development in a healthy setting. They are able to choose from a variety of extracurricular activities, providing them with the chance to pursue new hobbies and find their passions.

Since I am not attending school here in Moldova but instead taking online classes, I miss my friends and our regular interactions. This place reminds me of pre-war times.

Anna, 7, is engaged in the “Exploring the World” activity – an interactive way to understand geography. "Since I am not attending school here in Moldova but instead taking online classes, I miss my friends and our regular interactions. This place reminds me of pre-war times," said the seven-year-old girl.

“Children have a map assignment, which is similar to a journey, and they have to travel within countries, guessing their names and the most renowned landmarks, so that they can associate and remember them. It's learning by association and visualization,” shared Irina Havrus, teacher at the center in Chisinau, Moldova.

Irina is from Kherson, southern Ukraine, and has been working remotely as a Ukrainian teacher at a Ukrainian school while also teaching at the Step-by-Step center for over a year.

Every day there are different activities such as natural sciences, geography, biology, robotics, design, and languages classes. Every class has a different theme, and every child can choose which activity suits his interests best.

Every time they succeed, the teacher rewards them with small prizes. “If they did everything right, successfully passed their assignments, they get sweets, as a small bonus to encourage them to do more,” shared Iryna.

Marta, 9, spent most of the sessions learning about species and their natural environment. She is genuinely interested and wants to know how the world is made, from botany to biology.

“I learned a lot of things. I like the natural sciences. It is my favorite subject at school," said the nine-year-old girl.

She added, "It is very interesting because you get to know the countries and at the same time you can understand better the world we live in and how it is shaped.”

Dasha, 14, Alexandra, 12, and Alisa, 10, are three sisters who came more than a year ago from the Dnipropetrovsk region, the east part of Ukraine and have never been separated since.

“We are part of a band. We mostly sing together at home, but we'd want to perform on the streets first to see whether the public likes our music," explained Dasha.

However, thanks to the center’s activities, Alisa discovered also a passion for natural sciences and shared her biggest desire.

“During the activities I realized that I would like to become a veterinarian. I like animals, and when I grow up, I want to help them,” shared the girl.

Dasha, Alexandra and Alisa come to the center twice a week, on Tuesday and Thursday. Dasha is more focused on English classes since she wants to become a singer, whereas Alexandra enjoys natural sciences but has yet to determine what she wants to be when she grows up.

Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, World Vision with its partners has reached more than 254,000 children who have benefited from education programs.

In Moldova, World Vision has supported over 298,000 people, including Ukrainian refugees and host communities with protection, psychosocial support, cash and vouchers, livelihoods, education, and basic needs services.

 Cover photo: Anna, 7, participates in non-formal education sessions at the Step-by-Step center, including the "Exploring the World" activity, which enhances her geography skills.

Story and photos by Dan Munteanu, Communications Officer