British Homes and Schools for Ukrainians (BHSU) need YOUR help to give Ukrainian children an incredible summer of fun and learning. Our Summer Schools programme is now in its third year and we’re looking to make it the biggest year yet. We are fundraising to let 100 Ukrainian children study for free on Summer School programmes across the UK.
These children have been through so much during the last two years of war. This is a chance to get back into the classroom, make new friendships and begin to heal.
So far, we’ve raised £15,000. But we need an additional £10,000 to bring this project to life. Your donation will help Ukrainian children simply be children again for the summer.
The Impact of War on Children
This summer will mark two and a half years since the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Since then, nearly 4 million people have been internally displaced within Ukraine. A further 6.5 million have fled in search of refuge outside Ukraine. About 200,000 refugees are now in the UK, many of them children.
The war has had an enormous impact on children, both emotionally and physically. It has also severely affected their education.
Unabated attacks on schools have left children traumatised and without safe spaces to learn. Only a third of children at primary and secondary schools in Ukraine are learning fully in-person. The remainder learn online between widespread blackouts.
For children who are now in the UK, trying to study in a new place can be an overwhelming experience. Many face crippling language barriers.
The Incredible Impact of Summer Schools
In 2023, BHSU gave 65 Ukrainian children aged 10-16 the chance to join residential programmes at prestigious schools and homestays across the UK.
It was totally free for the children and helped in two key ways:
- 58 Ukrainian children who had recently arrived in the UK joined language programmes to boost their English skills and help them integrate into their new lives and schools.
- 7 children came over to the UK from war torn Kyiv. They had all lost either one or both of their parents and the programme was a much-needed break from the realities of war.
Eight schools donated places on their international English language Summer School programmes and opened their doors to Ukrainian children. The total value of the places they donated was in excess of £94,000.
The children spent between one and four weeks living on-site, immersing themselves in a new culture and making friends from around the world. They tried brand new subjects and their days were packed with activities from swimming, to dancing, to horse riding.
The transformation was clear to see and the feedback from the children was incredible. Here are just a few of the amazing stories we heard:
- “My English is so much better and I’m pursuing my dream of finishing school and becoming a pilot.”
- “I realised that studying new languages is not just useful but it opens up new possibilities, skills and communication.”
- “I became more confident and it has made my life so much better. I’ve changed schools and am making a whole new group of friends.”
We Need Your Help!
Last year we received over 500 applications from children who wanted to take part. That’s why this year we want to make the campaign even bigger. Our goal is to help 100 children through these incredible summer experiences.
But to do that, we need your help.
The programme will cost £25,000 to run. Or £250 per child.
We have already secured £15,000. We need an additional £10,000 to make it happen.
Your donation will have a huge impact and allow Ukrainian children to simply be children again this summer.
Thank you for your support.
Who is BHSU?
British Homes and Schools for Ukrainians (BHSU) was created out of a joint effort between educational organisations in Ukraine and the UK. It was set up by three female leaders in international education including two Ukrainian refugees displaced by war.
BHSU is a registered Community Interest Company in the UK and is supported by Prospero World, a Registered Charity in England and Wales.
80% of the BHSU team are displaced Ukrainians. Our mission is to help the Ukrainian community in the UK rebuild their lives through tailor-made programmes focusing on education, employment and wellbeing. We also support programmes within Ukraine, building resilience through education.
Our all-female founding team have over 80 years combined experience in international education. Valeria and Tetyana Samborska run Business Link Educational Agency, specialising in linking British educators with Ukrainian students. Kate Hargreaves is the founder and principal of Living Learning English, a network of English language teachers in the UK.
Kate was intrinsic in helping Valeria and Tetyana reach safety in the UK after fleeing Ukraine. Together they founded BHSU in 2022 to support others through the challenges of the war.