In February, we were hit by the reality of the war and saw many citizens stepping in to do something to help Ukrainians.
A few weeks ago we found out that BEforUkraine, a non-profit organization aiming to help Ukrainians impacted by the war, was contacted by the Embassy of Ukraine in Brussels. They needed a bus. A school bus. We thought, this project is for us, teenagers.
In Bodhanivka, a suburb of Kyiv, there was a large school with 450 students and 50 kindergarteners. The children happily attended school every day, and many travelled on the school bus.
But in March 2022, everything changed. The Russian army occupied the school. They created a staging area with military equipment and ammunition. When they decided to leave, they burned everything down, including all the school buses.
Building a new school is not possible right now as there are no funds to do so. And leaving the students at home all day long is not a viable option anymore.
We are the "Covid generation", so we know what it is to be confined and isolated to do home schooling.
But children need to go to school in-person for their education and emotional and mental wellbeing. Especially those facing the anguish of war.
Early September 2022, we had a meeting with the Embassy of Ukraine. We realized that the students of Bohdanivka could return to school if they had access to a school bus. The bus could take the children to schools in neighboring villages which were not destroyed : Velyka Dymerka (5km), Rudnya (14km) and Tarasivka (15 km).
We were deeply shocked to see the pictures and videos of the destroyed school and school buses.
We are teenagers. We go to school everyday by public transportation, by car, by school bus, by bike or walking...but at least we have a way to get there.
We believe every child deserve the right to a proper education.
We all felt that we had to do something.We had to find time in our busy, crazy ‘start of the school year’ life to help these students in need.
We have decided to raise money and buy a second hand school bus. And for this we need your help.
Please see the payment instructions below if you would like to help us make a positive contribution to the lives of these children.
Thank you for your kind generosity.
Alfred, 16 year old, student at l’Institut de l'Assomption
Charlie, 16 year old, student at the British School of Brussels
Charlotte, 16 year old, student at Institut Saint André
Charline, 15 year old, student at Sint-Jan Berchmanscollege
Diego, 16 year old, student at the British School of Brussels
Jeanne, 15 year old, student at Sint-Jan Berchmanscollege
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If you wish to support us, here is how to proceed:
1. Tax deductible for Belgian donors
Fondation Roi Baudouin
IBAN BE10 0000 0000 0404
BIC : BPOTBEB1
Mention: +++623/3712/80040+++ (attention communication structurée obligatoire)
2. Tax deductible for US donors:
* Gifts by check: Address your check to KBFUS, write BEforUkraine US Fund in the memo section of the check, and send it to KBFUS at 10 Rockefeller Plaza, 16th Floor, New York, NY 10020
* Gifts by credit card: https://kbfus.networkforgood.com/projects/54616-b-kbfus-funds-beforukraine-asbl-be
* Gifts by wire transfer or to contribute other types of property: Contact KBFUS via email at info@kbfus.org or phone (212) 713-7660.
3. Other: Paypal: beforukraine@gmail.com
