Integration and Education Center “Ukrainian Hive” in Sofia: Supporting Ukrainian refugees in Bulgaria
With the start of Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine, millions of Ukrainians found themselves in a situation where they had to leave their homes and seek safe haven abroad. One of the countries that accepted a significant number of refugees was Bulgaria. Today, more than 2 million Ukrainians live in this country, who are looking not only for physical protection, but also for opportunities to adapt to a new environment, while preserving their national identity. To meet these needs, in the capital of Bulgaria, Sofia, Ukrainian activists created the “Ukrainian Beehive” integration and education center, which became a real center of support for refugees.
The idea of creating a center
As writes “Rubrika”, the establishment of the “Ukrainian Beehive” center was a response to the need of Ukrainians to keep in touch with their culture and language, even when they are in another country. The head of the center, Yulianna Kulyukina, emphasizes that adaptation to new conditions is extremely important, but it is equally important to support national roots. People arriving in Bulgaria have to learn to live in a new environment, communicate with local residents, but at the same time not lose their cultural heritage. That is why the center has become a place where Ukrainians can feel at home, even when they are far from their native country.
Educational and cultural programs for different age categories
The “Ukrainian Hive” center offers a wide range of educational and cultural programs aimed at different age groups. In particular, various educational classes and workshops are organized for children, where they can learn both Ukrainian and Bulgarian languages, as well as participate in interesting activities aimed at developing their knowledge and skills. Especially important is the fact that the center is not limited to educational services for children – there are also programs for adults who want to integrate into Bulgarian society, but at the same time preserve their national characteristics.
A special platform has been created for teenagers in the center, where they can communicate, learn and restore lost social ties. As Yulianna Kulyukina points out, many teenagers felt social isolation due to the quarantine and the war, so it was important for them to have a place where they could communicate with their peers, participate in group activities and games. A number of integration programs aimed at socialization and psychological state support were developed for this age category.
Photo: facebook.com
Features of summer camps for Ukrainian children
In the summer, special summer camps were organized for Ukrainian children, where they not only rested, but also studied. More than 200 children participated in four shifts, during which children learned Bulgarian, financial literacy, history and culture. A game reminiscent of the well-known TV program “Eagle and Tail” was especially popular among children. This game helped children learn new knowledge in an interesting way and develop financial planning skills.
Kulyukina notes that the preparation for these camps was thorough, and each event was organized in such a way that the children not only had fun, but also received practical knowledge that will be useful in the future. It is also important that during the summer camps, children could communicate with each other in Ukrainian, which helped them not to lose touch with their native culture.
Support for children with disabilities
In addition to regular educational programs, the “Ukrainian Beehive” center pays special attention to supporting children with disabilities. Special integration programs have been created for them, which help children adapt to new living conditions and develop their social skills. This approach allows children with disabilities to take an active part in community life, feeling support and understanding from other children and adults.
Information support for Ukrainian schoolchildren
Before the start of the new school year, the center actively supported Ukrainian schoolchildren, providing them with information about the peculiarities of the Bulgarian education system and providing them with everything necessary for successful studies. This included not only educational materials, but also counseling on adaptation to the new environment, which helped the children integrate more easily into Bulgarian schools.
Photo: facebook.com
Continuation of state support for Ukrainian refugees in Bulgaria
Thanks to the continuation of the state support program for Ukrainians who received temporary protection, refugees will be able to use all the necessary resources at least until the end of this year. This will allow Ukrainian families in Bulgaria to receive social, educational and psychological support necessary for integration and adaptation to a new life.
The “Ukrainian Beehive” integration and education center in Sofia has become an important center for Ukrainians who were forced to leave their homeland. Thanks to his activities, hundreds of children and adults get the opportunity not only to adapt to new living conditions, but also to keep in touch with their culture, language and traditions. The center is an example of how activists can help their compatriots by creating conditions for successful integration, while not forgetting about national identity.
