World Record is a reward for everyone who contributed to the project.

22.08.2024

Ruslan Shostak, President of TERWIN

Our project, "Childhood Without War," which involved evacuating Ukrainian orphans during the war, has set a world record and is now recognized in the World Book of Records (WBR).

We never aimed to set a world record or gain global recognition. Our only goal, which remains unchanged, was to save Ukrainian children from the war. At the beginning of the project, we focused solely on how to evacuate thousands of children and provide them with safe and comfortable living conditions.

Thanks to the efforts of our team, volunteers, and partners, we were able to rescue nearly 2,700 orphans, children deprived of parental care, their guardians and caregivers, as well as children in difficult life circumstances at the start of the war. We transported them to safety in Turkey, where the children are living in hotels on the Mediterranean coast. This effort required 9 planes, over 90 buses, and 24 train cars. During the summer and fall of 2023, nearly 800 more children and their guardians went to Turkey for rehabilitation. The children receive balanced and complete five meals a day, medical and psychological services. Their lives are enriched with various cultural and entertainment programs.

A short documentary film, SAVE GENERATION UA, was made about the children of the project, which has received awards at prestigious international film festivals: Luleå International Film Festival, İstanbul International Spring Film Festival, and Washington West Film Festival in the USA.

Global recognition inspires and motivates us to continue working and uniting for the sake of what is most precious — the children. I am grateful for the active support of our partners and organizations: Nova Ukraine, Eva, Varus, Kızılay, Kolo Charity Foundation, Natalia Kholodenko, Visa, Lactalis, Ruta, Philips AVENT, Beiersdorf, Imperia Holding, Waikiki, METRO, Schneider Electric, Onur Group, Splat, San Clean, iHH, İOM, Save the Children Ukraine, Rotaract, Lions, Özdoğu Sarp, Ekovar Environmental Group, Valet, Kilit, Hospitality Group, Vony Nezlamni Charity Foundation, Unilever, Silpo, Ülker, Gelato, UNWLA, BLONDI, Milller&Smith, Henkel Ukraine LLC, Tuid, SGDD-ASAM, Wells Fargo NY, Church USA, HelpPeopleOfUkraine Foundation, FC "Kolos," the Embassy of Ukraine in Japan, and many others.

Without the participation of partners, volunteers, and the support of international organizations, we would have achieved nothing. Therefore, the world record is a reward for everyone who contributed to the project. From the First Ladies of the two countries, whose agreement initiated everything, to the Embassy of Ukraine in Turkey, the Consulate of Ukraine in Antalya, the Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine, Dnipropetrovsk Regional State Administration, and the Ukrainian and Turkish businesses and charitable organizations that have been helping to ensure the safety of Ukrainian orphans for 2.5 years. I would like to especially thank the project staff, for whom this project has become their life, and the care for children their mission. I am confident that the best reward for them is not the record, but the thousands of grateful eyes of Ukrainian children.