Before the storm of adversity swept through their lives, the classrooms of Hopscotch Montessori in the heart of Kyiv were filled with the laughter and curiosity of children. At other schools too, each day unfolded as a new adventure for all children in a warm and tranquil city that stood as a symbol of European unity and harmony.

On February 23, 2022, children were immersed in stories about peace and the significance of unity. They learned the importance of standing together, of being a fortress that no force could break, and of caring for one another. In the beautiful Montessori environment, they practiced yoga and created exquisite flower arrangements, oblivious to the impending storm.

Yet, the night that followed would shatter their peaceful existence. As Kyiv's residents were abruptly awakened by the harsh realities of war, our young students and their families were thrust into an unimaginable ordeal. Some scrambled to escape the city, while others made the heart-wrenching decision to leave Ukraine altogether, some had no choice but to stay. Some families were torn apart, with fathers remaining behind as valiant military servicemen.

In the face of this humanitarian crisis, we at Hopscotch Montessori embarked on a mission to ensure children's rights to education. We found them placements in Montessori schools across the globe, providing them with a familiar environment. We reached Montessori communities worldwide, from Warsaw to Washington, D.C. The response was nothing short of heartwarming. They welcomed Ukrainian children with open arms during the most challenging conditions.

These brave young souls have shown unparalleled resilience. They have faced adversity head-on adapting to a completely new environment, language and most notably the fact that their so-called home is never the same anymore.

Through their unwavering determination and the support of the global Montessori community, some of the children we helped have found new “homes” in Montessori schools in Europe and our own Upper East Side and VIA 57 locations in NYC. As Maria Montessori once said,”In these times, more than ever before, our hope is that education will offer an aid to better the condition of the world”. Children are symbols of hope, and during these challenging times, they remind us all that unity can overcome even the darkest of times.