Summer Holidays of Friendship: Children from Ukraine Enjoyed a Vacation in Lithuania

For the fourth year in a row, the Lithuanian Education and Science Trade Union (LŠMPS) is welcoming children from Ukraine to its country and inviting them to enjoy a summer vacation filled with new experiences, learning, and discovering Lithuanian culture and traditions.

In August 2025, a group of 30 Ukrainian children from the Volyn, Dnipropetrovsk, Zhytomyr, and Zaporizhzhia regions, whose families are members of the Trade Union of Education and Science Workers of Ukraine, visited the city of Visaginas thanks to the support of LŠMPS and the local community.

The purpose of the trip was not only recreation, but also integration, intercultural dialogue, and support for educational initiatives during a difficult time for Ukraine.

From the very first minutes of their stay in the country, the children felt warmth and friendliness: the mayor and deputy mayor of Visaginas personally welcomed the young guests, wishing them vivid impressions and new friends. Following the business meeting, the children had their first introduction to the city: its cozy streets, interesting legends, unique architecture, and stories about local landmarks.  

Later, the children were met by the President of the Lithuanian Education and Science Trade Union, Egidijus Milešinas, employees of the organization, and camp instructors.  Each day of the trip brought new discoveries. In Rokiškis, the children visited the palace of the Counts of Tyszkiewicz, immersed themselves in the history and art of the region. 

The educational program “The Way of Cheese” taught them how to make real Lithuanian cheese themselves — and, of course, how to taste it. There were also archery lessons and handmade ice cream tasting.

The meetings with the Ukrainian community in Visaginas were equally warm. Here, the young guests learned about local initiatives to preserve Ukrainian culture, practiced decorative and craft arts, and relaxed on the lake shore while enjoying watermelons and melons.

Every day, the camp offered sports games, master classes, activities, T-shirt painting, celebrations of the city's 50th anniversary, opportunities to meet peers, and many other memorable moments.

The group of children was led by the head of the Volyn Regional Organization of the Trade Union of Education and Science Workers. Vasyl Granovskyi expressed his gratitude to his Lithuanian colleagues and personally to the head of the Lithuanian Trade Union, Egidijus Milėšinas, for their close cooperation over the years, their friendly and warm welcome, the interesting leisure activities, and the useful vacation for the young Ukrainians. Indeed, this trip gave the children not only new knowledge and skills, but also, most importantly, a sense of support, unity, and friendship that knows no borders or wars! 

The children of the union members sincerely thank the Trade Union of Education and Science Workers of Ukraine and the Lithuanian Trade Union of Education Workers for this opportunity. It is thanks to their cooperation and support during the war that the children were able not only to improve their health, but also to feel warmth, friendship, and genuine care. For many of them, this trip became a source of new strength, vivid impressions, and faith that there are people in the world who are ready to help in the most difficult times.

International Department