UOC launches campaign to help refugee children prepare for school year

His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry during last year’s “Backpack of Mercy” campaign. Photo: UOC

On July 1, the Synodal Department of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church for Social and Humanitarian Affairs announced the start of its annual charity campaign “Backpack of Mercy,” aimed at helping children from internally displaced families prepare for the new school year, the UOC Social Department reported.

The campaign is traditionally held ahead of the start of school. Participants collect aid for children whose families were forced by the war to leave their homes and start life in a new place.

The UOC noted that for many displaced families, buying school supplies, backpacks, clothes, and other necessities becomes a serious financial burden. Preparing a child for school is especially difficult for those who have lost their home, job, or stable income.

The Social Department called on all concerned people to join the campaign and support refugee children. The Church stressed that even a small donation can become an important sign of care and support for a child.

Organizers hope that, through the joint efforts of benefactors, children from internally displaced families will be able to begin the new school year with the necessary school supplies, as well as with a sense of support and hope.

As the UOJ reported, UOC eparchies recently delivered aid to soldiers and those in need.

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