When love for children overcomes the challenges of war. The story of veteran Denys Bodnar

When Denys Bodnar, a father of five, returned from the front in December 2022, not only was his family waiting for him, but also a surprise from his wife – a spacious covered veranda added to their house in the town of Samar in the Dnipropetrovsk Region. Denys’ wife had planned the 60-square-metre extension as additional living space for their large family, but over the coming months it would become the place where a new story unfolded for many local families.

Due to the risks of war, state kindergartens were not operating in the region. This was a serious problem for parents, but for Denys and his wife, it was a challenge and an opportunity to help. This is how the idea of the Kid’s Club, a private kindergarten and early development club, was gradually born.

On 1 August 2024, the Kid’s Club opened its doors to children. The first group consisted of five children, and in less than a year, the Kid’s Club became a cosy, inclusive space for 20 regular pupils. Children with special needs are also cared for here and receive the most attention.

From idea to implementation – with the support of EU4Youth

The idea to open a private kindergarten came after Denys participated in the summer 2024 hackathons organised by the ‘Action Time’ and ‘Smart Media’ NGOs as part of the ‘EU4Youth Phase III – Support for Young Veterans and Internally Displaced Persons in Ukraine’ Programme, co-funded by the European Union and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania.

“We are convinced that supporting young veterans and internally displaced persons not only helps them to develop independently, but also enables them to create projects that transform the lives of entire communities,” said Oleksandra Shchukina, Leader of ‘Smart Media’, adding that, “such initiatives often become growth points for the local economy, opening new opportunities for education, culture, and social integration. Each of these projects is not only a personal success for its founder but also a contribution to the recovery and strengthening of Ukraine.”

Denys had initially planned to create a sports and rehabilitation centre for veterans, but he realised that this would require significantly more investment. Instead, Denys and his wife realised they had the premises for a children’s club on their own doorstep, with the new extension to their home. In addition, the house boasted a full playground in the yard, with slides, swings, carousels, and trampolines that Denys had set up for his own children. This is how the Kid’s Club came about, with the help of a grant from the EU4Youth Programme.

The grant funds were used to upgrade the playground and purchase interactive tables, musical equipment, laptops, a TV, and a printer. All this helps to develop children’s imagination, motor skills and intellectual abilities, creating an atmosphere where every child feels safe. In addition to Denys’ wife, a professional teacher who also works in local secondary schools, the Kid’s Club currently employs two teachers and one nanny.

A man who was not broken by war

Denys began his military service in 2006 as a conscript. In 2014, he joined the Kryvbas battalion. In 2017, he was seriously wounded and underwent a long recovery. Sport helped him walk again and return to an active life. After rehabilitation, he retrained as a teacher and worked as a physical education teacher in secondary schools in Samar.

In 2022, from the first day of the full-scale invasion, Denys rejoined the Armed Forces of Ukraine, but at the end of the year, he left the army due to family circumstances. Today, he heads the veteran’s organisation ‘Pobratym 4.5.0.’ and develops the Kid’s Club.

The future of the Kid’s Club

Today, Denys and his wife are already planning to expand the Kid’s Club premises to accommodate 40 children at a time. Additionally, there is a proposal to establish another branch in a neighbouring village, for which they are seeking funding.

“Everything that doesn’t kill us makes us stronger. The war didn’t break me – it made me stronger. And I am grateful to fate that everything in my life turned out this way,” says Denys.

The Kid’s Club has become not just his own business, but a way to support the community, give children the opportunity to develop, and give parents time to work and relax.

[popular_posts columns_xl=”4″ columns_l=”4″ columns_m=”3″]