Rivne Waldorf Initiative
Children's Garden, Liliyu
Children's Garden, Liliyu
Rivne Waldorf Initiative, Children's Garden, "Liliyu"
The kindergarten was created eight years ago (bearing a name meaning “the egg of paradise”). It is not a part fo the federation of Waldorf schools as it is a privately owned school. not really recognized by the federation, due to the fact that the form chosen was a private initiative. In 2023, they created their first grade class. The founders also
created a center for trauma-therapy – a real necessity considering the devastation caused by the war. The school itself currently has only two classes.
This small city is famous for having precious amber mines…it is located in the west of Ukraine, between Kyiv and Lviv. It is an ancient city, known for the Magdebourg law (1892) – the first urban laws connected to urban self-governance.
A note from the Founder
We are the only kindergarten in our city Rivne offering a Waldorf-based educational approach.
My name is Olena Plakhtyna, and I have been the Founder and the Director of Leliyu Children’s Space since 2018.
I created Leliyu with a deep love for children and an ambitious vision: to establish a Waldorf kindergarten in Rivne and, in the future, develop it into a broader educational complex that would include a school as well as a center for the development of children and adults.
However, the small number of enrolled children and, later, the impact of the war have repeatedly placed our space in a financially vulnerable position. Families value the Waldorf educational approach, and parents contribute not only financially but also with their time, energy, and dedication to the community.
At the same time, a significant part of our financial resources is spent on rent and essential operating costs, leaving limited opportunities for the development, improvement, and promotion of the space.
Despite these challenges, we continue to believe in our mission and want to create a sustainable educational environment where children can grow, learn, and develop in accordance with Waldorf principles