Missiles destroy buildings, but not ideas: Youth Centre restored after missile hit in Kyiv

The renovated Youth Centre Fun Hub was opened in the town of Baryshivka in the Kyiv region. On March 11, the centre was completely destroyed by a Russian missile. Then part of the Baryshivka OTG was occupied, and the town itself was regularly shelled. After the de-occupation of the region, activists began to restore the Fun Hub, and on November 4 it was once again fully operational.

The centre was hit by the missile at night, and by morning word had spread about the ruins left behind. However, immediately after realising what had happened, the idea of the centre’s reconstruction arose. Many young people joined in – some painted the walls, some decorated the interior. Then together they drew a map of Ukraine, around which everyone could write what they associate our country with.

For Baryshivka, the opening of the Fun Hub was a small victory, because a missile can destroy only the building, not the idea,” said Ihor Nechytailo, one of the co-founders of the Baryshivka Youth Council and co-initiator of the Fun Hub restoration.

The youth centre was founded in Baryshivka last year. Local activists won a grant from the MHP-Gromadi foundation, which they used to buy equipment, furniture, a projector, games, and other necessary items for the centre. By autumn, they began to hold meetings and trainings for young people, such as anti-bullying courses, creativity development, film screenings, meetings with representatives of various professions, etc. In 2022, the foundation joined in the Fun Hub reconstruction efforts. Together with activists, the foundation applied to the Ukrainian-Danish Youth House for a grant and subsequently received funding. With the necessary funds raised, the new premises were renovated, and new furniture and appliances were purchased.

“We are extremely pleased that our projects continue to live on despite everything. This demonstrates that our work – to seek out and help support such initiatives in our communities – is extremely important. In the restored Fun Hub, young people will develop, learn, and eventually create their own businesses, working to benefit the entire community”, said Pavlo Moroz, Director of the Corporate Social Responsibility Department of MHP.

In the restored Fun Hub, young people have already organised the first event – a charity auction of paintings by local artists. All of the funds that are raised will be donated to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.