


The project started years and years ago, not long after Znaniye Russian School, the organization which is the initiator of the project and a supporter of it with Znaniye Foundation, was opened to first of the students in London back in 2003. The Second World War is a massive part of the world's history which left an impecable footprint on the humanity. For the population of Russia, these horrifying events stay in memory and faith in a special way. Every year the country has a massive celebration of the victory followed by public holidays and fireworks and shows. Throughout the events, all of the veterans, dead and alive, are being honored. Teaching children to respect, remember and be grateful to the ones who fought for the future of the world is a massive aspect of, probably, any school education.
There are many Russians living in London and educating their children about history and culture. Even though the little ones are growing up in another country, knowing about such things from the point of view of the homeland of at least one of your parents is needed. Hence, as the Russian education provider, Znaniye Russian School partnered up with some of the related institutions in Russia in order to give the children a chance to actually learn and even interact with the survivors. Later on, the project expanded and now, years after, it is still prospering, involving more and more kids into the actions of gratitude and rememberance.
How the project starterd
The project

As mentioned previously, the project is successfully running throughout many years and covers many aspects. Through time, many online meetins were organized for the children and veterans, the veterans were also visiting the school in London, gifts and greetings were sent through from the UK to Russia and back for many occasions.
This year for 75th Anniversary of Vistory Day, the students of Znaniye Russian School recorded video messages for the veterans. More about VDay 2020 here.
Read more about 75th Anniversary
of Victory Day event:
Watch YouTube videos with greetings
from children:
Visits
Before Znaniye Foundation joined the project, Znaniye Russian School was successfully organizing trips from Russia to the UK for the veterans to see the country and discuss with the children the hard life that they had to live with all its challenges. Recent visits were organized in collaboration with the organization called "Last World War Two Soldier" based in Moscow.
Read more about the visit in 2019
Christmas project

For the holiday season 2020, Znaniye Russian School together with Znaniye Foundation have planned a very special project - Christmas gift & Christmas card for the veterans in Russia. In terms of this event the children could create a handmade card for the veterans, put it in the envelope and send it directly to the address in Moscow to cheer up the ones who fought for us, in such a complicated year. Each class at Znaniye Russian School had a chance to thourughly research and learn about biographies of the chosen veteran and, later on, create a Christmas card and a video wish from the whole group. You can read more about the Cards Prject (in Russian) here.
Additionally, the children together with their parents had a chance to raise funds which were later transferred to our partners, Last World War Two Soldier, in order to purchase the gift sets and deliver them to the veterans with the help of our local volunteers. Furthermore, the children recorded video greetings and wishes to the veterans which were efficiently passed on.
The goal to teach kids how to spread kindness to the ones we should eternally respect was successfully reached and the holidays of the heroes of the war were a bit brighter with a little bit of our help.
Read more on Znaniye page
(in Russian): новогодние-акции-для-ветеранов
Read more on Last World War Two Soldier (in Russian):
Our veterans
Birthday project
Similar to the Christmas gift project, Znaniye Foundation and Znaniye Russian school decided to launch the Birthday part of the project. The idea is simple: anyone can donate as much as they are willing to in order to purchase a gift for the veteran. The participants can choose a certain veteran they would wish to congratulate. Additionally, anyone can create a handmade card or the whole gift for the veteran and pass it on to Znaniye Foundation from where the present will proceed to Russia and further to the veteran.
Names and dates of birth of the veterans can be shared per request. In order to donate, please, contact us at or visit our GoFundMe page.

What's next?
In the year of 2021 Znaniye Foundation together with Znaniye Russian School will work hard towards bringing the veterans to the UK for the children to meet them and learn about the history from the first hand.
Moreover, we strive to bring as many gifts and bright moments to the veterans as we can with the help of our students, their parents and the supporters of the idea. We hope to distribute birthday gifts for all of the veterans, celebrate VDay 2021 in a special way and meet all together for the next Christmas season.
How to support
In order to join the project, support us with the materials for children's art or financially, please, get in touch with contact@znaniyefoundation.co.uk.
Additionally, if you are willing to get involved but do not hva etoo much time, you can simply support the charity via the GoFundMe page (link below).
ZNANIYE FOUNDATION CHARITY BANK DETAILS:
ZNANIYE FOUNDATION
ACCOUNT NUMBER: 30049691
SORT CODE: 23-05-80
Partners
We thank everyone who has been working with us over the past years and helped us make this idea come to life!