Study trip to Poland (Warsaw and Łódź)

Friday, May 22, 2026

Visit to Love Does School, Warsaw, with a meeting with the school administration (Iga Liziniewicz and Estera Jurczyk). Tour of the school, meeting with children. Due to a Ukrainian holiday, many students were away at a folkloric event. Meeting of the graduating class who are “applying” to the University of Warsaw with short films. Tuition fees could be sponsored from Switzerland (approximately CHF 2,000 per year for a guaranteed 3 years, monitored by exams at the university; those who fail are dropped from the program. An interesting proposition).

Discussion of the upcoming school expansion, visiting to the expansion options (near the school, 2 floors). Heart&Art Ukraine (H&A U) expressed its preference for the 5th floor. The possibility of supporting the renovation and rent was discussed. Mission for Ukraine also expressed interest in participating.

A visit to SolNest and a meeting with Lilia Stadnik (and Anna, the interpreter) took place. The future of SolNest was discussed. Funding for SolNest and Magic Kitchen has beensecured for 3 years. A meeting with children and young people was held as part of the Magic Kitchen program. Aprons and T-shirts bearing the Heart&Art Ukraine logo were presented to the students, which was received with great joy and acknowledgement.

Saturday, May 23, 2026

Visit to Lyudmyla Galchun’s therapy class at the POLIN Museum (Museum of the History of Polish Jews). Meeting with Ukrainians and their children, discussions about the importance of this therapy class. It is perceived as a meeting place and highly valued. Heart & Art Ukraine received heartfelt thanks from all those present for making these meetings possible and for supporting them.

Visit to a dance studio that parents of talented ballet students make available to their children but can barely afford it. Heart & Art Ukraine observed the dancers (two 14-year-old girls from Ukraine; the studio is attended by several children, including Polish girls) and decided to cover the studio’s rent. The parents continue to pay for the additional ballet teacher. All the children attend the Warsaw Ballet School, which, however, is not on the same level as thelarger schools. Therefore, this additional instruction is essential for the talented dancers with excellent future prospects.

Sunday, May 24, 2026

Transfer from Warsaw to Łódź

Evening meeting with Agnieszka Smarzyńska (CEO of Happy Kids) and her team for an initial exchange.

Monday, May 25, 2026

Visit to the Happy Kids headquarters and exchange of information and explanations about the foster care system and orphanage in Poland. Visit to a foster family (the foster mother has been the “mother” to 57 children in recent years) and a residential care facility for children with disabilities from Ukraine.

The visit resulted in a request for funding for an additional therapy center (rent, renovations, and a contribution towards operating costs), which is currently under discussion.