As per UNHCR, 30 to 50% of about 5.9 million Ukrainian refugees across Europe are children, and only about half were enrolled in schools. Amidst the crisis, there is a significant gap between mental health support available and the demand for it. Through this series, we scale socio-emotional and learning support, leveraging mass media as a powerful tool to do so.
Using project- and play-based learning pedagogies, the series helps Ukrainian children (8-14 years of age) cope with the urgent and critical challenges they face away from home in unfamiliar host countries. The series aims to build better communities by facilitating intercultural understanding. Each of the 10 episodes is centered around a specific theme, including exploring their identity, using tools for self-expression, building leadership skills, developing empathy, coping with emotional challenges, and more. Children watch engaging and age-appropriate 20-minute episodes where show hosts guide them through fun projects to do at home and discuss important and relatable topics. The series also highlights QR Codes which direct viewers to learning resources with more detailed instructions. The series is being broadcasted by a national TV channel in Ukraine for free and also through an open-access, dedicated website for zero cost.
The TV Series was broadcasted by MEGA TV in Ukraine with a viewership of 147,000 and counting. It is also available on a free online platform, which also has a one-click survey after each episode, demonstrating high user satisfaction. The series was disseminated to 50+ NGOs in Poland and Ukraine and will be broadcasted in more channels in the coming months. Several organizations, including the First Lady's Office in Ukraine, are in talks to broadcast the series on their platforms too.
You can access the TV show through MEGA TV, a national Ukrainian TV Channel. In addition, you can visit the website (www.ukrainetv.thinkequal.org) which hosts this series alongside two other incredible series as well for adults and early learners.