Metinvest Iron Ore Plants continue to support neighbouring communities in addressing urgent social and economic issues. During the war, the main focus has been on creating safe conditions in educational institutions. Currently, in the village of Novyi Starodub in the Petrivka territorial community of the Kirovohrad region, the Dzvinochok kindergarten is undergoing major roof repairs and the construction of a shelter for its pupils as part of a new project. At present, around fifty children attend this institution.
Ensuring children's safety during their education is an unconditional requirement in wartime. Because of the lack of a shelter, local authorities were forced to temporarily close the kindergarten. However, under a memorandum of cooperation concluded between the Petrivka Village Council and Metinvest Iron Ore Plants, this issue of constructing a new safe space on the premises has been addressed. The Company has undertaken to provide the project with the necessary resources. In parallel, the NGO "Kryvyi Rih Foundation for the Future" provides coordination services during construction works.
"Our task is to organise the works at the site efficiently and promptly, monitor the timely supply of construction materials, and oversee the implementation stages of the project. Earthworks have already been completed, and the shelter is, so to speak, beginning to take shape. Meanwhile, children from Novyi Starodub are temporarily attending another kindergarten. Special transport has been arranged for them. As a reminder, with the support of Metinvest, a 1,000-square-metre safe space for school students was recently completed in the Petrivka community. Preschoolers will soon have a shelter as well," said Olena LESHENKO, Director of the NGO "Kryvyi Rih Foundation for the Future."
At the construction site, the excavation pit has been prepared, the foundation laid, and block walls installed. As of now, floor slabs are being installed. The next stages include thermal and waterproof insulation of the building, installation of flooring, and finishing of the walls, ceiling, and facade. With the support from charity partners, the coordinating organisation has purchased equipment and furniture for the basic shelter, as well as construction materials for major repairs of the kindergarten's roof. Its complete replacement is the next stage of the project.
"Once again, I want to thank Metinvest Iron Ore Plants for their reliability and consistency in supporting our community. Our partnership was established in peacetime, when we implemented a number of improvement projects across the Petrivka community. Together we developed parks and squares, embankments and playgrounds, and improved residential courtyards, bringing comfort to our residents. Our friendship has not been interrupted during these difficult years of war. Metinvest helped us accommodate and provide all essentials for internally displaced persons and socially vulnerable groups. Now, our focus is on creating safe conditions for children," emphasised Svitlana TYLYK, Head of the Petrivka Village Council.
