On Monday, December 29, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha, together with his wife, the head of the Association of Spouses of Ukrainian Diplomats Tetyana Sybiha, met with Chaplain Volodymyr Zavadsky, co-founder of the children's spiritual and educational center "Ark of Peace".

Volodymyr Zavadsky spoke about the unique experience of the Center, which began its activities near Mariupol in 2016, and after the start of the full-scale Russian invasion evacuated students from the epicenter of hostilities and resumed work in the Transcarpathian region. The Center provides comprehensive spiritual, psychological and social support, takes care of children of internally displaced persons, in particular war orphans, ensuring their long-term rehabilitation and socialization.

The Foreign Minister thanked Mr. Volodymyr for his selfless efforts to support Ukrainian children, care for orphans and constant spiritual care for those who need it most.

The Minister also noted Mr. Volodymyr's personal role in presenting a special gift to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio during the talks in Jeddah - the Mariupol Icon of the Mother of God, written on a board from a box of ammunition.

Chaplain Volodymyr Zavadsky noted that the visit of the First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska together with representatives of the Association of Spouses of Ukrainian Diplomats, which took place within the framework of the meeting of heads of foreign diplomatic institutions in 2023, was extremely important for the children of the Center.

Andrii Sybiha informed about the nearest plans for the further implementation of the project of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Association of Spouses of Ukrainian Diplomats on the rehabilitation of children from the front-line regions of Ukraine.

“Support for our children who suffered as a result of the war will continue to be one of the important areas in the work of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. We will make every effort to ensure that every child feels cared for, protected and has hope for a safe future,” the Minister emphasized.

The chaplain thanked the Minister and Ms. Tetyana for their support and systematic assistance to the children of the Center, in particular, the recovery this year of children from frontline regions in Turkey and Azerbaijan, as well as the transfer of household appliances, clothes, shoes and other necessary things.

On the instructions of the Minister, humanitarian aid, clothes and gifts for the Christmas and New Year holidays were transferred to the Center’s pupils today.