On 22 September, Ambassador of Ukraine to the Republic of Estonia Volodymyr Boiechko met with a Ukrainian delegation from the Zhytomyr region, which is visiting Estonia to participate in the training “I am a brave and useful person – how to teach preschool children to provide first aid through value-based education and practical activities.”

The delegation included representatives of the local authorities of Zhytomyr region, educators working with the first aid methodology in kindergartens, and medical professionals.

In his welcoming remarks, the Ambassador emphasized the importance of this project, particularly in the context of the ongoing war, when issues of safety and mutual support are of special significance. He underlined that Ukrainian children should, from an early age, learn to recognize dangerous situations, take care of one another, and internalize values through education and play.

The Ambassador expressed sincere gratitude to Ms. Kristiina Merks, Director of the “Meelespea” kindergarten, and Ms. Tetiana Klymenko, a staff member of “Meelespea”, for their initiative and for implementing the project “First Aid for Children” in Ukrainian preschool institutions. This initiative is an important step in integrating first aid training into the educational process, fostering value-based orientations in preschool children, raising their awareness of dangers, and encouraging them to care for one another.

Volodymyr Boiechko expressed special gratitude to ESTDEV for its substantial support in the implementation of this project, in particular for organizing training programs for delegations from the Zhytomyr region.

The project has already been launched in the Zhytomyr region and has sparked interest in Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Kamianets-Podilskyi. Around 250 “First Aid for Children” methodological kits have already been delivered to Ukrainian kindergartens.

The Ambassador expressed hope that this valuable and timely initiative will also be extended to other preschool institutions across Ukraine.