At the beginning of the Ukrainian refugee crisis, mothers who arrived in Bulgaria needed a safe and supportive place for their children as they tried to rebuild their lives. One of the most important aspects for the children’s emotional well-being was returning to their familiar daily routine – participating in structured activities, interacting with peers, and regaining a sense of normalcy.
To meet this urgent need, it was created day care center, which operates from 9:00 to 17:00 and offers not only supervision, but also a rich daily program tailored to the emotional and educational development of children.
Media coverage:
• Capacity and age groups
The center accepts children aged 4–6 years and 7–9 years, divided into four groupsto provide focused attention and age-appropriate activities.
• Daily program
A specially designed program was developed to meet the needs of both age groups. It included:
This structure provides a balance between learning, play, and emotional support.
• Registration process
Google online registration form was widely distributed through refugee social media and published on Muzeiko website, which ensures wide accessibility for Ukrainian families.
• Length of stay and flexibility
Each child was offered 4-week stayIf the mother finds work during this period, the child can remain at the center until they secure a place in a state kindergarten or school.
• Registration process
Google online registration form was widely distributed through refugee social media and published on Muzeiko website, which ensures wide accessibility for Ukrainian families.
• Length of stay and flexibility
Each child was offered 4-week stayIf the mother finds work during this period, the child can remain at the center until they secure a place in a state kindergarten or school.
• Psychological support
Recognizing the trauma that many families have experienced, the center provided psychological assistance from the very beginning. A team of professionals:
• Volunteer participation
Above 50 volunteers contributed to the success of the center. They helped with daily care and organized enriching extracurricular activities, including:
An essential part of the center's model was hiring Ukrainian mothers as full-time teachers. This approach empowered the women, provided them with a stable income, and helped bridge cultural and emotional differences with the children.
As the nature of the Ukrainian refugee crisis changed, so did the needs of the community. A moresustainable, community-led approachthat goes beyond emergency care.
This led to the creation of Parents' Cooperative "Little Lights", founded by six Ukrainian women who were part of the original center. These women, many of whom arrived during the most difficult periods of the crisis, created a caring, family-like space for children aged 3–6 years.
Key aspects of the transition include:
Through informal education “Little Lights” provides a warm and educational environment that fosters community resilience and deeper integration. This initiative demonstrates how refugee-led projects, when supported by institutions and communities, can transform emergency measures into long-term solutions that enable development.
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