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27 НАШЕ ЖИТТЯ • Січень-Лютий 2023 The Ukrainian Museum recently introduced a new educational program as part of an initiative to support Ukrainian refugees of the current war. The Sunflowers of Support school program for students K-12 explores the current Ukrainian refugee crisis and connects students with refugee children in the New York area in a special way. Members of the Ukrainian American Youth Association (CYM) were among the first participants. Although the ages of the children varied from 4 to 11, every child was engaged in learning about this difficult topic. They heard about the hardships encountered by refugee children fleeing Ukraine, the locations where many have ended up, and the help they are receiving. Students of the senior class at St. George Academy have also participated, examining the refugee crisis through a slightly more mature lens than their younger peers. A key and meaningful part of this program has each student crafting a paper mosaic sunflower image – a symbol of Ukraine – and writing a message to the refugee children. It was an interesting concept, especially for the younger students, to make a craft that they would not take home to show their parents or hang up in their rooms. They were asked to give it to someone they had never met or seen, but they eventually understood that their artwork and their kind message were gifts for another child going through hardships no child should experience. Looking like a field of sunflowers, the completed projects form a panoramic image as they line the walls of the Museum’s workshop studios. Yet each sunflower image is wonderfully unique, as students have endowed them with their own personal, creative touches. No less impressive are the sweet and thoughtful messages of support for refugee children that accompany these paper mosaic works of art. From wishes for their healing and happiness in new surroundings, making new friends and liking their new schools, to commending them for their bravery and praying for their reunification with family, the students’ messages to the refugee children are imbued with an empathy and wisdom beyond their authors’ youthful ages. Ukrainian refugee families in the New York City area were invited to the Museum to view this project and take part in complimentary workshops. As they entered the workshop studio area, they were greeted by the beautiful “field of sunflowers” with the sincere messages for the refugee children. These families were visibly touched, and their spirits seemed to be lifted by the support they felt while viewing the images and written messages. The Museum has thus far hosted a Christmas craft workshop and a ceramics workshop for refugee families, which the children enjoyed very much. The Museum plans to keep growing the "field of sunflowers" as more schools participate in this initiative. The Museum will continue to invite refugee families to view this project and to enjoy craft activities so that they feel the support of our communities for as long as needed. The Museum's Education Coordinator, Kalyna Cholhan-Boychuk, with children from CYM who just completed the Sunflowers of Support workshop. “SUNFLOWERS OF SUPPORT” Program Connects Local Students with Ukrainian Refugees Older students from St. George Academy taking part in the workshop. Photo: Maryna Andreieva Ukrainian refugee children from the New York City area were invited to view the Sunflowers of Support project and take part in a complimentary workshop where they crafted ceramic pieces inspired by artist Slava Gerulak, whose ceramic works were on display at the Museum.
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