Sirje Karis met with Ukrainian war orphans and their foster parents

The First Lady of Estonia, Mrs Sirje Karis, met with Ukrainian war orphans and their foster parents who are set to move into family-style small group homes built by the Estonian Centre for International Development (ESTDEV) in the Zhytomyr region. This initiative is part of Estonia’s ongoing commitment to Ukraine’s reconstruction. The project was launched in collaboration with the Olena Zelenska Foundation, with Estonia supporting the construction of one home under the Foundation’s ‘Room for Childhood’ campaign.

Mrs Karis hosted the Ukrainian foster families in the rose garden of the Office of the President. She emphasised that every child deserves a safe and nurturing home where they are trusted, respected, and heard.

‘Foster parents play many roles, not only teaching their children but also leading by example and guiding them through life. Every moment spent with a child shapes their future – and in this case, the future of a caring, well-educated, and forward-looking Ukraine,’ – Mrs Karis said.

ESTDEV, a government-funded foundation, is responsible for managing and implementing Estonia’s international development cooperation and humanitarian aid projects. Supporting Ukraine remains a top priority, with a focus on facilitating the country’s integration into the European Union.

In Ukraine, ESTDEV’s efforts include backing structural reforms and capacity building; for instance, the construction of homes for large Ukrainian foster families is paired with specialised training for foster parents caring for children affected by war trauma, as well as for social protection workers and child welfare specialists. Ukrainian construction companies also benefit from collaborating with Estonian firms, adhering to European Union standards for building safety, efficiency, and quality. 

Although Estonia’s support is concentrated in the Zhytomyr region in the west of Ukraine, ESTDEV is dedicated to sharing this expertise with other regions of Ukraine through international partnerships.