Train helps keep Santa on track in Ukraine
St. Nicholas and UNICEF delivered more than 30,000 presents to children in Ukraine
- Українська
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Not even the war was going to stop St. Nicholas from delivering gifts to children in Ukraine. This year, he had a plan – swap his sleigh for a train.
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) supported him on his journey to cities in eastern Ukraine, preparing more than 30,000 gifts aimed at boosting education for Ukrainian children.
"This year, the holiday will come without any delay,” promised St. Nicholas, as he set off from Kyiv. “My train will not only bring children gifts, fun and play, but also the feeling of holiday and joy that is really important in these circumstances.”
Almost 1,500 children in seven Ukrainian cities received blue backpacks and educational sets. They also had a chance to take part in a festive performance and share a wish with St. Nicholas. Almost all of the children had the same wish – for peace in Ukraine.
“I want to ask St. Nicholas to end the war”
"St. Nicholas, we are waiting for you," squeal a group of children in unison, as they waited for him on the platform at Sloviansk railway station. Although the city endures constant shelling and the threat of landmines, there are still many children living here.
Over 200 children and their parents have come to see St. Nicholas. Each child receives a gift – an education kit from UNICEF and a magic ticket that bestows a superpower.
"A superpower that I received is wisdom. From now, I am wise, and I'll be able to help people and animals that were left without care due to the war. But I want to ask St. Nicholas to end the war so that I can go to school.”
The next stop for St. Nicholas is Kramatorsk, where he and his assistants present games and a concert for local children, spreading joy wherever they go.
"Because of the war, we don't even have a Christmas tree in our city. We miss electricity and our school. This was my first holiday this year.”
"I made a wish that my school would open again”
Artem, 11, from the village Zanky in the Kharkivska region had feared that the air raid siren would prevent St. Nicholas from visiting them. But, true to his word, he arrives.
"I came to you on my iron horse, a carriage that Ukrzaliznytsia presented to me,” says St. Nicholas, when he arrives to greet the scores of children that have gathered on the train platform. “My deer couldn't come because of the closed sky. But the train moved so fast because I knew that the wonderful children were waiting for me.”
For Artem, who is forced to study at home due to the ongoing shelling, meeting St. Nicholas and his assistants is the highlight of his winter.
"I made a wish that my school, cafés, shops and playgrounds would open in our city again," says Artem.
At the next stop in Balakliya, St. Nicholas is welcomed so warmly that he decides to leave his carriage and visit the children in the city.
Balakliya is still recovering from the hostilities. Local schools, kindergartens and an art centre remain closed. The city faces blackouts and heating outages. And the risk of landmines means that children cannot walk freely in parks and playgrounds.
Six-year-old Alina has drawn a colourful picture of a snowman for St. Nicholas.
"I really want a little sister. I told St. Nicholas about it".
"I wish for the war to end.”
Games and dancing brighten a foggy morning in Mykolaiv for more than 200 children, who have gathered at the train station to see St. Nicholas.
Seven-year-old Ania, who studies in first grade, wrote a letter to St. Nicholas two weeks ago, but today she has come to see him personally and make a wish.
"I wish for the war to end, so there will be no sirens anymore,” says Ania. “I want to attend school.”
The day before St. Nicholas arrives in Kherson, there is an attack on the city. But nothing will stop him from bringing gifts to the children.
Milana and the other children are thrilled with their new backpacks, which contain school kits and toys from UNICEF. So are their parents – this year, they have been unable to buy gifts because the shops in Kherson remain closed.
"The morning was pretty quiet, so we came. I was dancing and singing. And I received a present.”
Now, more than ever, UNICEF says it is crucial to ensure that children in Ukraine have access to education, safety and a sense of hope.
"The Christmas and New Year period reminds us that we shouldn't forget about dreams, especially the dreams of our children,” says Murat Sahin, representative of UNICEF in Ukraine. “But each dream starts from education. And 30,000 education kits is another reminder that seven million Ukrainian children need to continue their studies.”
