On 12 May 2026, on the initiative of the student council of the Faculty of Chemical and Biopharmaceutical Technologies, a charity event was held for the third time under the slogan «With Goodness in Our Hearts» for the Khotyn Special School № 1, a state correction and rehabilitation institution that meets the needs of children with intellectual disabilities in terms of general education, social support and their rehabilitation within society.
The university management, led by Acting Rector Talіat Bielialov, teachers and students from the Faculty of Chemical and Biopharmaceutical Technologies, together with Dean Tetiana Derkach; the Faculty of Arts and Fashion, together with Dean Natalia Ostapenko and Deputy Dean Alla Kolodiazhna; the Faculty of Economics and Management; and staff from the Accounting and Planning and Finance Departments participated in the process of collection. Through joint efforts, the necessary cleaning and hygiene products, stationery, arts and crafts kits, sports equipment for active games, souvenirs, sweets and more were collected.
The team from Kyiv National University of Technologies and Design set off in high spirits. Students from the Faculty of Chemical and Biopharmaceutical Technologies, along with Oksana Butenko, Deputy Dean, and Olena Kryukova, Associate Professor of the Department of Chemical Technologies and Resource Saving, were on the team.
Upon arrival at the educational institution, the university team was greeted with a warm, unforgettable welcome. Our students took an active part in the themed sports and educational quest «The treasures of our nation». The «Cossack games» sports competition left a particularly lasting impression on the students and pupils of the institution. The young people split into friendly teams, and the festivities began – escaping from captivity, a dance-off, a dumpling-eating contest, drawing a Cossack, a history quiz, and a tug-of-war. The participants were breathless with excitement!!!
According to the verdict of the impartial judging panel, comprising Olena Kryukova and the school's PE teacher, there were no losers, as all the children are talented and quick-witted: some are better at running, others at dancing; some recalled more historical facts, whilst others were adept at eating varenyky; some drew a Cossack more clearly, and some proved stronger at tug-of-war. Therefore, both teams were awarded certificates. It was emphasised that the students of KNUTD are kind and caring, have big hearts, and have become not just guests but true friends and mentors to the school's pupils.
The management, teaching staff, and pupils of the Khotyn Special School № 1 expressed their sincere gratitude to the entire KNUTD community for their ongoing support, which is a testament to the community's generosity and social responsibility. Oksana Butenko received the thank-you on behalf of KNUTD and, in turn, thanked the school's teachers and pupils for their hospitality, openness, and genuine warmth.
After the competition, everyone was treated to a proper Cossack lunch – kulesha, banosh with cracklings and brynza, fried potatoes and sausages, and uzvar. The KNUTD team provided the dessert – fizzy drinks, chocolate bars and marshmallows were the perfect way to top up everyone's energy levels. The children were particularly thrilled by roasting marshmallows over the campfire, which brought the young people incredibly close together and united them.
Even the light rain, which later picked up a little, didn't spoil the festivities. The students and pupils had a great time outdoors: they played active games and blew soap bubbles, putting on a colourful and unforgettable show!
To mark today's celebration and as a token of their sincere friendship, this year's graduates presented us with paintings they had created themselves. The vibrant flowers and moonlit night will serve as a gentle reminder of the warmth of children's hearts, their generosity of spirit, and their bright faith in a peaceful and happy future.
The «With Goodness in Our Hearts» charity campaign once again brought together the large KNUTD family to support the pupils of the Khotyn Special School № 1, providing the children with essential items, sweets and a colourful festival of Cossack entertainment. This visit not only demonstrated the university's high level of social responsibility but also strengthened the sincere friendship and mentorship between students and pupils.
We express our sincere gratitude to the university management, represented by Acting Rector Talіat Bielialov, and to all the caring students, lecturers and staff of KNUTD for supporting the noble initiative of the student representatives of the Faculty of Chemical and Biopharmaceutical Technologies. We hope that this charitable programme will certainly continue in the future, becoming a strong annual tradition of goodwill and support for the school's pupils!!!
27.05.2026
