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Bringing Hope to Life: A Ukrainian School’s Play for Peace and Fundraising



October 2024 In the midst of the ongoing war, Vinnytsia Lyceum #27 has launched its first international fundraising campaign to provide aid to those affected by the war. The campaign centers around the play "Hope in the Hat," written by Mika Vanhanen, a teacher who initiated a 20-year tradition of planting trees for peace. The play draws inspiration from this tradition, highlighting the school’s participation in the global movement for peace through environmental action.



The name "Hope in the Hat" comes from a pivotal moment in the play, where the character Mr. Greed receives a seedling he names Hope and places it into his hat, symbolizing the nurturing of hope even in challenging times.

"Hope in the Hat" has been translated to 20 languages and will be performed around the world by the Plant And Care For Peace network, making it a symbol of unity and hope for many communities. Despite the challenging circumstances of war, the play continues to embody hope for peace, with plans for additional performances on upcoming UN theme days this year. All proceeds from the campaign will directly support the school and its community during these difficult times.

Student Reflections on the Play

Students from Vinnytsia Lyceum shared their thoughts on the importance of the play:

  • Koval Karolina, 6th form: “In my opinion, trees are the lungs of our planet. We must help trees save the world.”

  • Fiialo Veronika, 8th form: “We should save our planet for the next generations. We must do our best to ensure they live in peace. Peace begins with a smile, friendship, and family.”

  • Daria Khymych, 7th form: “This play is very relevant because it raises environmental issues and makes us reflect on the problems of today’s environment.”




Teacher Oleksiy Ternovoy, coordinator for Plant And Care For Peace in Ukraine, praised the students' performance, stating: “It was amazing to see our students on stage and how accurately they could show us the main author’s idea. Not only the audience but also our actors have got a lot of pleasure from their acting.”

How You Can Help

To support the fundraiser, you can visit https://payhip.com/b/aqUO7 and purchase a promo video of the play. All funds raised will go directly to the school to provide essential aid. As a token of gratitude, donors will receive an electronic thank-you certificate signed by the school’s principal. Your support is greatly appreciated! Please share this campaign with your friends, colleagues, and networks to spread the word and help Vinnytsia Lyceum in their efforts to aid those impacted by the war.

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