As the war in Ukraine grinds on into a third year, and with threat levels in the country rising, one mother has spoken of the impact of ORT’s help as she attempts to continue her children’s education.

Viktoria Khainus and her two children have long been affected by conflict. For a decade they have criss-crossed Ukraine, repeatedly resettling and then relocating again to safer areas. For the past two years, the support of the ORT school in Zaporizhzhia has been their beacon of hope.

“During this time of war, children across Ukraine have had to mature far sooner than could be expected,” Viktoria explains. “We have learned to stick together, not fear explosions, and value what matters most. ORT has helped us survive these long, terrifying months and provided timely assistance. Such care during wartime is worth its weight in gold.”

The Khainus family benefited first from the chance to join the ORT “Aleph” Jewish Gymnasium in Zaporizhzhia, and later from evacuation alongside other ORT families to the town of Truskavets in western Ukraine. Suitable accommodation was organized in a hotel, with security and guaranteed heating. Teachers and students continued their educational work in relative peace.

Having moved on to Kyiv six months ago, the Khainus children are now enjoying their education as online students of the ORT Zaporizhzhia school.

Dan Green, World ORT Director General and CEO, said: “The Khainus family’s story serves as a powerful testament to the resilience and hope that can be found amidst adversity, and showcases the impact of ORT’s support in transforming lives and communities.

“It underscores the importance of our organization’s work to offer assistance to those navigating through life’s toughest challenges, while ensuring the continuation of their children’s education.”

Fear – and relief

The Khainus’ journey began a decade ago in Donetsk. Forced to leave the region in 2014 as the conflict unfolded, the family moved south-west to Melitopol, where they settled until the war began in February 2022.

Viktoria explains: “That day we woke up to deafening explosions; it seemed our apartment building would collapse. The streets emptied and those who could left in the first hours.”

Amidst the chaos and danger, Viktoria and her children found themselves huddled in a basement, surrounded by the deafening roar of explosions. “It was terrifying,” she reflects. “But my children remained composed and brave, ready to face whatever came our way. They didn’t cry, slept fully clothed, had their backpacks ready with cookies, documents, and a thermos with tea. My six-year-old son even brought a toy knife and toy gun with him to the basement to protect me.

“We were totally unprepared for this disaster. Stores were looted or closed; ATMs didn’t work. There was a small supply of food, but it was clear it wouldn’t last long.”

In the damp basement, where cold and coughs became constant companions, the absence of medicines and food intensified their plight.

A glimmer of hope emerged for Viktoria and her children after a month. Volunteers came to their rescue, offering them a chance to evacuate to safety in Zaporizhzhia. Their journey was fraught with peril, as they navigated treacherous roads filled with checkpoints and violence. They pressed on, braving minefields and gunfire, until they finally reached the relative safety of Ukrainian-controlled territory.

For Viktoria’s children, the relief was palpable, yet the trauma lingered, evident in their fear of venturing outdoors. Their arrival in Zaporizhzhia marked a new chapter, one where they found solace and support at the city’s ORT “Aleph” Jewish Gymnasium.

A New Start

The school emerged as a beacon of hope for Viktoria and her family. They were embraced with such warmth and kindness that it moved them to tears. The children received backpacks filled with stationery and they were provided with food kits from ORT. This assistance came at a critical time, as they had lost everything for the second time and were in dire need.

But in October 2022, during yet another shelling of Zaporizhzhia, a rocket struck a nearby building on one of the deadliest days for the city. Viktoria’s 10-year-old son expressed a newfound understanding of the horrors of war, emphasizing the fear of losing loved ones and being unable to help.

Following the shelling, their balcony doors were skewed, and while attempting to fix them, Viktoria was thrown back by another explosion. Miraculously, she survived, but fearing for their safety, they decided to leave Zaporizhzhia.

In their time of need, ORT once again extended a helping hand by offering evacuation to Truskavets. For eight months, Viktoria’s family and more than 150 others found refuge there, far away from the ravages of war.

Looking to the Future

In time, that arrangement came to an end and families decided to venture out across Ukraine in an attempt to find longer-term arrangements while the war continued. Viktoria and her children have now resettled in Kyiv but maintained their strong links with ORT through online study.

ORT Ukraine, supported by World ORT and our fundraising partners, continue to provide educational facilities as well as material support to more than 400 teachers and school staff, as well as many students’ families who have lost their income, homes and relatives.

In addition we have expanded the capacity of school shelters in Kyiv, reopened our school in Odesa, provided safety training across all ORT Ukraine schools, and given extensive emotional support and trauma counseling.

But the future will continue to be challenging. We have estimated more than $1.5 million of further assistance is needed to meet the ongoing needs in areas including monthly expenses for food, security and maintaining uninterrupted power supplies; school equipment and restocking school bomb shelter supplies; repairing school buildings; and of course significant requirements for trauma counseling and emotional support for students and teachers across the country.

Thanks to the support of ORT donors worldwide, many families like Viktoria’s have found hope and the opportunity to start a new chapter in their lives.