June 4 is the Day of Remembrance of Children who died as a result of the armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine.
This day is not just a sad date on the calendar, but a reminder to the world that war is pain. And the worst pain is the loss of childhood, children's dreams and even life.
Humanitarian hubs/centers established for residents of Donetsk Oblast in safe regions of Ukraine joined the commemoration of all children who died because of the war in Ukraine, and held a number of events for children, youth and adults.
Representatives of the hubs/centers, together with residents of Donetsk region, joined the Children's Voices campaign, hanging bells, paper angels and doves on the Tree of Remembrance as a sign of support, memory and hope.
The bells are a symbol of lost children's voices; the angels are the personification of protection, spirituality, and kindness; the doves are a symbol of peace, hope, and purity. Each pendant carries a message: a wish for peace, safety, love and protection for every child in Ukraine. Participants made the symbols themselves, wrote their wishes, poems, and messages to children on them.
The patriotic and educational events and hours of communication “Don't lose your childhood!”, “Light of Memory”, “Stars of Little Angels”, “O children, innocent angels”, “Children who never...”, “Following a child's dream...” helped to foster respect, respect for the Motherland and its inhabitants, a sense of patriotism, and preservation of historical memory.
By participating in the photo campaign “Children of Peace: Remember, Empathize, Act” in Odesa, young residents of Donetsk Oblast expressed their desire for peace, support for war victims, and readiness to act for the peaceful future of Ukraine.
The book exhibitions “Children are angels, Ukraine is crying for you, mother” organized at the hubs featured books about children, peace, loss and the power of the human spirit.
Representatives of the hubs/centers, together with residents of Donetsk region, took part in requiems, laid flowers and toys at memorials and memorial sites, and observed a minute of silence in memory of the dead children.
We bow our heads in memory of the children whose lives were taken by the war. We protect those who will build the future of our country!