In Ukraine, children are attending school in shelters, limiting their learning and stifling their dreams for the future.
At Global Teacher, we believe education is a basic human right that everyone, no matter their circumstances, should have access to. That’s why we sent our Unit 002 Classroom-in-a-Box™ to the Odesa region of Ukraine.
Through our partnership with The Breteau Foundation, we’ve helped improve the learning experience of children at a school in Odesa by providing them with a kit that allows them to continue their education in a fun, engaging way – despite the challenges around them.
Educators in Ukraine face two major obstacles: safety and a lack of electricity. Not all schools have shelters, and those that do cannot accommodate every child, forcing pupils to attend in shifts. On top of this, with just two hours of electricity per day, teachers are restricted to using books, making it even harder to teach effectively.
While Russia’s full-scale invasion began in February 2022, the war in Ukraine started back in 2014. According to a UNICEF report published in January 2023, 5.3 million children have faced barriers to education, with 3.6 million directly affected by school closures. Over 2,600 schools have been damaged and more than 400 destroyed, putting the future of millions of children at risk.
Today, children take turns learning in basements and shelters. This should never be normal – yet right now, it is.
That’s why we deployed Unit 002 to Odesa. Our Classroom-in-a-Box™ gives children the opportunity to learn off-grid through a portable, solar-powered, offline kit that works without electricity or internet. It empowers them to keep learning, no matter their surroundings.
Sasha, our colleague on the ground, said: “Ukraine has never had these issues. Even before the invasion, we had a strong education system. Having this kit gives children the chance to explore how solar power and batteries work, while also allowing them to continue lessons in areas closer to the war zone where schools or the internet aren’t available. The children said the kit made learning fun and lessons more interesting.”
Our Classroom-in-a-Box™includes:
- Solar panel – 110W foldable, waterproof solar panel which is lightweight, foldable and perfect for off-grid locations.
- Battery – rechargeable lithium-ion battery, ideal for harsh conditions.
- Projector – compact and light LED projector.
- ‘The Brains’ – which is where all of the offline learning is stored.
- Navigation – this includes a keyboard and mouse for the brains.
- Projector screen – 100” wall mountable projector screen.
- Carry case – durable, waterproof carry case for harsh climates.
We want to say a huge thank you to Sasha for her incredible support in getting the kit to the school, and to FBI Mike, our logistics lead, for making sure it reached Ukraine safely.
