Kyiv School Evacuation: Hope Interrupted by Uncertainty

The day started on a hopeful note and then the evacuation of a Kyiv school began. I had landed an event job and was heading to my first meeting, excited to plan a holiday event for one of Kyiv’s schools. It felt like a small, precious step toward normalcy, a reminder that life here still finds ways to push forward, even under the shadow of war.

We had just begun brainstorming ideas—talking about decorations, activities, and the joy we hoped to bring to the kids—when the phone rang. The words on the other end of the call stopped us cold: “The school is mined. Evacuate immediately.”

Chaos erupted. Staff and children poured out of the building, fear etched on their faces. Parents scrambled to pick up their kids, and sirens blared as authorities rushed in to secure the area. Standing there, watching the scene unfold, I felt the weight of Kyiv’s reality press down again. Even moments of hope are often interrupted by the lingering threats we face daily.

Despite the disruption, I cling to the belief that this event will happen, that we’ll still find a way to bring joy to these kids. Kyiv’s resilience amid uncertainty keeps me moving forward, one step at a time.

Students and teachers evacuate a Kyiv school following a bomb threat, highlighting the ongoing security challenges in the city.