New children’s space for learning and creative leisure (video)

A place to learn the Polish language, shoot short movies, draw, and make handicrafts — all this is about a new educational center, “Zmistovno,” which was opened with the support of Nova Ukraine and Howard G. Buffett Foundation. The centre works at Gymnasium No. 71 in Zaporizhzhia.

“Zmistovno” educational center for children started its work almost a month ago. It is open not only to students of the Gymnasium but to everyone who wants to attend the classes here. Teachers of Gymnasium No. 71, volunteering in the Center, always have something to entertain children. The space has a puppet theater, in particular, and various creative clubs where young visitors learn new things or just play games. Volunteers also pay attention to the safety of children during the war.

The educational Center even has a film studio where children learn to shoot and edit videos and make video stories. There is also an opportunity to study Polish — classes for students from the first to the eleventh grade are held several times a week.

Volunteers at the Center aim to teach children how to work in a team, improve critical thinking and boost their creativity. Every child can discover and express their talents.

“We have completely different locations where children engage in various activities. We have creative activities and sports. The schedule is organized so that morning activities are held in the hall, and after lunch, children go to the sports ground to play with volunteers in sports sections. Any child from our district and other city districts can visit this space,” says Kateryna Levchenko, a volunteer at the educational center “Zmistovno”.

Every day, about 40 children come to the Gymnasium, where they forget about the war, at least for a while. All classes and workshops at the Center are free of charge.

Author: Oksana Chupryna, video by: Mykyta Deineha. First published at MTM TV (Municipal television network)

Translated from Ukrainian by the CDIZ