Families of the Heavenly Hundred Launch Coloring Book to Teach Kids How to Engage with Veterans

A New Interactive Coloring Book for Young Children

According to Рубрика — Суспільство: The NGO Families of the Heavenly Hundred has introduced an innovative coloring book aimed at children aged 6 to 10. This resource is designed to help young learners understand how to communicate respectfully with veterans who have prosthetics or other visible war-related injuries. The initiative was supported by the Kyiv City State Administration’s Department of Social and Veteran Policy and won the city’s Support for Ukraine’s Defenders competition.

Project Implementation and Activities

During the pilot phase, 100 copies of the book were printed. The program was piloted at Kyiv’s 29th Lyceum, where students had direct interactions with veterans. Over the course of four sessions, children completed interactive exercises, asked questions, and participated in creative workshops. One activity involved decorating cookies featuring the colors of the Ukrainian flag and a bird symbolizing freedom.

The project also received valuable contributions from the German prosthetics center Prosthetics.Pro and the advertising agency Holy Sweets. Following the successful pilot, plans are underway to distribute an electronic version of the book to community groups and schools and to expand the program to additional educational institutions.

Yulia Tsepun, head of Families of the Heavenly Hundred, emphasized, “Preparing children in advance to interact with veterans-especially those with prosthetics or visible war injuries-is crucial. It helps avoid awkward moments, protects the veterans’ emotional well-being, and teaches the younger generation to express gratitude sincerely and respectfully.”

Project leader Kateryna Shershnova highlighted the role of patriotic education, stating, “For us, patriotism means helping children understand why freedom matters, who defends it, and how to communicate with those who have experienced war firsthand. We want kids to approach veterans with respect and empathy and to navigate diverse social environments with confidence.”

To further support this effort, the project will continue, and a scholarship program for military personnel has recently been launched in Ukraine.

This initiative marks a significant step toward bridging the gap between younger generations and veterans affected by conflict. Educational programs like this foster social awareness and tolerance, which are especially important given the current challenges Ukraine faces. Expanding the project to more schools will engage a wider audience in learning about patriotism and honoring those who have defended the nation.

In addition to educational initiatives like the coloring book, there are ongoing efforts to support veterans in various capacities. For example, the veteran internship program for government bodies aims to integrate veterans into public service roles, providing them with valuable experience while fostering a deeper understanding of their contributions among the younger generation.