ASTR School Odessa

Dear colleagues... dear spiritual brothers and sisters! No matter what country people live in, any society is always united by the experience of their ancestors, which is passed down from generation to generation through... SCHOOL! If a doctor heals the body, then a teacher builds the soul...

Waldorf education unites thousands of people around the world. Ukraine is also a vibrant part of the global Waldorf movement. Our school, the ASTR Free School in Odessa, began its journey into Waldorf in 1991, becoming the first school to embody Rudolf Steiner's vision in Ukraine. Since then, we have had 26 graduates. Hundreds of children, having graduated from our school, have brought their own children to study with us—and this is the highest recognition of our work, when your graduates trust you with their own children!

Our school is private; unfortunately, we receive no government support, so we are forced to exist solely on parental donations. It's very difficult for small schools to survive in Ukraine right now because the war Russia started four years ago changed everything. So many people—parents, teachers, and children—fled Ukraine, fleeing the war. Many were left without work and unable to afford their children's education. But we're not giving up on our work because it's important! It's important to give Ukrainian children the opportunity to live and study in humane conditions!

That's why we're so happy when we find people from all over the world helping us survive. For the sake of the children... for the sake of the future...

We're always open to collaboration between schools. We're happy to connect with teachers and children from different countries. Schools from Anchorage and Alabama have been very helpful: our students have written letters to each other and drawn pictures. American schools have collected donations at fundraisers and sent us financial aid. It's very touching and generous!

We'd be happy to partner with any school and connect with students, teachers, and parents in America!

Every child and adult in Ukraine waits, believes, and hopes for the war to end and for us to be able to live in peace and tranquility. We strive to carry this feeling in our souls...

May Light, Peace, and Goodness never leave your hearts and your homes!

God bless America! God bless Ukraine!

Pedagogical Board of the ASTR Free School, Odessa, Ukraine.