UNICEF launches festive letter-writing campaign in Ukraine

Children from across Ukraine will be able to write and send holiday greetings to one another this festive season, thanks to a new campaign from the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), in collaboration with the postal service Ukrposhta.

Within Ukrposta branches, dedicated areas where children will be able to write letters will be established as part of the Dyvodii (“Miracle Maker”) campaign. The first of these has already opened at the Kyiv Main Post Office, located at 22 Khreshchatyk Street in Kyiv, with 45 more festive children's corners opening across the country this week. Some branches will organize children’s workshops on writing letters, card decorating and more.

"Amidst the struggle children face in Ukraine, let children's dreams soar,” said Munir Mammadzade, UNICEF Ukraine Representative. “The Dyvodii campaign, launched by UNICEF and Ukrposhta today, weaves wishes into hope for a better future for every child, especially those on the frontline, and brings some holiday warmth.”

"Every year, Ukrposhta invisibly unites thousands of people around the world by delivering postcards, letters and gifts,” said Ihor Smilyanskyi, CEO of Ukrposhta. “We don't know what to expect in December, but we do know what we can do – bring a little miracle to everyone. Become Magic Makers. For ourselves, for people we know, and for little strangers.”

Becoming a Dyvodii is simple:

• Take a clean sheet of paper, write festive wishes, and draw something warm and bright for another child.
• Specify "from Dyvodii" on the envelope and address it to: 22 Khreshchatyk Street, Kyiv, 01001, Ukraine. It is not mandatory to affix a postage stamp. Please only send letters and drawings.
• Drop the letter into the mailbox at the Ukrposhta branch.

Children can also join the "Dyvodii” campaign online, where they can upload letters and drawings using this link.

Children will be able to submit their letters and drawings from 1 - 15 December. Starting from 21 December, letters will be loaded onto Ukrposhta vehicles, which will then travel across Ukraine, delivering each letter to its young recipient.