The Olena Zelenska Foundation is starting a project to restore a children's creative and sports hub in Borodianka, Kyiv region. The building was destroyed by Russian forces during the occupation of the town in the spring of 2022. The restoration of the facility is planned to receive $1 million in funding. The funds for construction are being provided by the Temerty Family, which has been collaborating with the First Lady of Ukraine's Foundation since the beginning of the full-scale war.
The President's wife, along with her Foundation's team, the director of Ukrainian initiatives of the Temerty Family Foundation, Krystina Waler, and the head of the Kyiv Regional State Administration, Ruslan Kravchenko, visited the site where the children's center used to be located and discussed the initial steps in implementing the joint project.
"The Temerty Family from Canada is one of the largest contemporary Ukrainian benefactors because they originate from Ukraine and do not forget their roots. The Temerty Family Foundation was one of the first to join forces with the newly established Olena Zelenska Foundation last year. Our collaboration has allowed us to support and provide the necessary assistance to large foster families who have lost their homes, residents of the occupied territories throughout this year. Now, we have new joint projects, so we will be able to help even more Ukrainians," the First Lady said.
The ruined building housed the Borodianka Center for Children and Youth Creativity, the Children and Youth Sports School, and the Children's School of Arts. "Before the full-scale war began, Borodianka was a hub for sports and extracurricular education not only for local children but also for children from neighboring communities. The children's creative center was completely destroyed by the aggressor army. Together with the Temerty Family Foundation, we are investing in the future of our children," Nina Horbachova, the director of the Olena Zelenska Foundation, said.
The Temerty Family Foundation has been consistently supporting projects of the Olena Zelenska Foundation. A year ago, the Canadian foundation was one of the first to join in providing humanitarian assistance to residents of the occupied regions of Ukraine. Thanks to the Temerty Family Foundation's contribution of $500,000, the Foundation provided support to residents of the occupied Kharkiv region. This support included the purchase of powerful generators to ensure the uninterrupted operation of hospitals, educational institutions, and critical infrastructure in three districts of the region, as well as the provision of essential items to over 2,000 internally displaced persons.