At the beginning of 2025, we refurbished a batch of donated laptops from the United Kingdom and delivered them to Zaporizhzhia School No. 8 for computer science classes held in the school's bomb shelter. That visit revealed the reality the children faced every day—and marked the beginning of a long and costly transformation.
Half of the basement had been adapted for classes, but only in the most basic way. The concrete floor was uneven and full of deep gaps that made it easy to trip. Classrooms were separated only by curtains that blocked fresh air but did nothing to block the noise from neighboring classrooms. There was not enough lighting or ventilation, and long lines formed outside the restrooms during every break.
The children did the best they could because the only alternative was full-time online learning. They even created a video showing what their dream school shelter would look like.
The other half of the basement was in even worse condition: exposed pipes, dirt floors, and walls with little or no plaster. It felt hopeless.
After months of planning, budgeting, comparing prices, and finding practical solutions, that dream began to take shape. Temporary curtains were replaced with proper drywall partitions. The floor became smooth and safe. The number of restrooms doubled. We improved the lighting and upgraded the ventilation system.
Together with you, we have already invested nearly UAH 1 million ($24,000 USD) in this project. The next step is to install an additional ventilation line, costing about UAH 250,000 ($6,000 USD), followed by the second phase of the renovation. These improvements are urgently needed because students currently attend school on a rotating schedule—one week learning online, the next week attending classes in person.
Unlike a traditional shelter that is used only during air raid alerts, this one serves as a full-time learning space. It allows lessons to continue without interruption, eliminates the need for children to rush downstairs when danger strikes, and—most importantly—brings back the face-to-face interaction they missed during years of remote learning.
There are still far too few underground schools built by the government and international donors. That is why it is so important to make existing school shelters safe, comfortable, and welcoming for the children who depend on them today.
Join us. Thanks to your support, life goes on. Even underground.
