Treasures of the Nation

January 2025 NL- In the midst of the ongoing war in Ukraine, we made a strategic decision to buy a building and start a learning center. With the influx of over 1 million refugees and internally displaced people around the Kyiv area, schools are over populated and under staffed.

Parents, once they find housing and jobs, want their kids to be safe and to get a quality education. In addition, we get to meet new families, minister to their kids, share our faith and invite them to camps. This is the beginning of the Treasures of the Nation Learning Center.

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But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”  Matthew 6:19-21 paraphrased

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Ukrainians are fighting valiantly for their homeland, however, the country has been ripped apart by the war. Most refugees who left in the early days have returned.  It will be three years since the full scale Russian invasion. Daily life with air raid sirens and drone strikes is now normal.  People go to work, and many schools are on half-day schedules to accommodate the influx of new students.

The Center Opens

It was a very special day when we recently opened the doors at Treasures of the Nation. Parents are grateful for the small environment, clean classrooms, and individual attention their kids receive. The center has already become a wonderful hub of connecting families and building relationships.

Our Ukraine director, Yulia, shared, “We have a good relationship to the parents, and they told us that they are happy to have the opportunity to bring their kids to the center.  The kids learn a lot of new games, make new friends and don’t spend time on phones and tablets.”

Like A Second Home

“One boy named Vanya lives with his mother as his father is in Denmark. He really needs his father’s care, and he is a great helper to us,” Yulia continued. “His mother said recently, ‘It’s like a second home here for Vanya. I am so happy.’”

Yulia shared about their new daily routine. “Every day we have 5-7 children in the center. We will have more children but are just getting started. They come after school at 11:30 am for day care group, and they can eat lunch and do their homework.”

 

“During morning air raids (now almost every day), the schools may close. We then provide online

access to their classes. When online school is over, they have lunch, do their homework and have physical activity. After that we have tea with cookies or pie and then play board games. Andriy also offers additional robotics classes three times a week, which is very popular,” she said.

The Center Is A Local Business

Evey Zambrana from California volunteered to teach English at the center and shared about her experience.

“It was fun and exciting to see all the kids so eager and engaged in learning. My initial impression is that this is a fantastic place for locals to get involved in the community, creating real impact by building relationships with the kids and their families. We have a

generator now so electricity is guaranteed when needed. And a highlight for me was discussing future projects. Despite the war, we are preparing for the future. I like that!”

“I think the center is exciting because it is also a business. Families pay for their kids to learn there. This helps MP in Ukraine to become a self-funding ministry, becoming more sustainable. It embodies the saying, ‘Give a man a fish, he eats for a day; teach a man to fish, he eats for a lifetime.’”

Our Long Term Vision

Our goal is to create a business that meets the needs of local families and as a result, supports the ministry of MP Ukraine.

Yulia concluded by sharing, “Our name is Treasures of the Nation because our desire is to impact the next generation, give them a good education and provide opportunities. We live in war time. People need hope. We do this in the context of showing God’s love for families.”

Thank you for supporting us and praying for us. Life and ministry inside Ukraine demands faith and resilience. Pray for our staff there as they continue to serve the Lord during this war.