Thanks to your support, the Happy Child Foundation continues introducing children from frontline Zaporizhzhia to the beauty of the Carpathians.
From July 18 to 24, 2025, a group of children from Zaporizhzhia took part in a journey to Bukovyna as part of the Klubok Project. Their first stop was an adaptation day at a tourist base in the village of Samakova. Special thanks go to Taras from the "Saigon" club and the head of the Koniatyn community, Oleksii Ivanovych Skrypchuk. Local teacher and historian Mariia Karpovets introduced the children to Hutsul traditions and dialect, followed by a tour of the oldest house in the village. Its 89-year-old resident shared memories of life under Romanian rule — when there was no electricity and Soviet authorities tried to force people into collective farms.
The next day, the group hiked up to the Baikalivka meadow (elevation 1,250 m), where large Carpathian swings and a wooden hut were recently built. The climb was tough — even though most of the backpacks were brought up by jeep, the trail led us through an abandoned path, and for 400 meters we had to walk directly in a mountain stream. A challenging but valuable experience for the children.
After setting up camp under the meadow, the kids had dinner and got their first real taste of outdoor hiking life. For many, it was their very first trip like this.
The following day we reached the highland village of Vypchyna, located along the ridge. Sadly, the village is now abandoned — only a few neglected houses remain. Yet at 1,240 meters above sea level, there is still a functioning church and several guest houses nearby. The church opens just once a year — on July 12th, for the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul — which is why Vypchyna is now known as a "one-day village." On that day, former residents, visitors from nearby villages, and tourists gather here. People arrive in ZIL trucks and jeeps via nearly impassable steep roads — truly an extreme adventure. (This is featured in a segment by Dmytro Komarov.)
We, however, made the journey on foot. Along the way and in the village itself, we met no one. It’s a truly wild and remote place. Local residents could not endure life at such altitude — without electricity, roads, or internet. Once the village had more than 100 homes, a club, and a school.
We had dinner in an unlocked guest house — some children slept there, while others camped in tents. The next day, a long trek awaited us toward Lake Bukovynske Oko and the village of Nizhniy Yalivets, from where a truck was supposed to bring us back to civilization.
We left the “one-day village” filled with impressions from the wild nature and an unforgettable sunset over the Chornohora range — between Pip Ivan and Hoverla peaks.
On the third day, we descended to Nizhniy Yalivets and visited Mountain Eye (also known as Bukovynske Oko), a deep lake where some children even dared to swim in its cold waters. Its depth reaches 10–12 meters, and the water temperature in deeper parts is as low as 14°C.
That evening, a cargo truck picked us up and drove us back to the base in Samakova — a two-hour, wild and bumpy night ride along slippery mountain roads under a sky full of stars. Unforgettable would be an understatement.
We returned to Khmelnytskyi by bus, as Ukrzaliznytsia's transport disruptions made it impossible to get train tickets from Vorokhta or Chernivtsi.
We once again thank everyone who supported our hiking project "Klubok." Such journeys are a breath of fresh air for children from frontline Zaporizhzhia. The kids not only escaped constant air raids and fear — they gained confidence, developed resilience, and learned firsthand about the Carpathians and Hutsul traditions. Now, their knowledge comes not from textbooks, but from personal experience.
Some children discovered a love for this kind of adventure; others realized it's not for them. But all of them will remember these few days for a lifetime.
Sincere thanks to everyone who helped gather equipment and accompanied the children:
• Rafael and Leonid from the "Happy Child" foundation
• Nova Poshta — for delivering the gear
• Anna and Kateryna — for their caring support
Join the Klubok group and see more photos and stories from this and other journeys.
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