UKK

Проєкт розпочався з дискусій українських фахівців дошкільної освіти та органів управління освітою. Fun Academy вже реалізувала кілька проєктів психосоціальної підтримки, і під час цієї взаємодії з нашими українськими колегами виникли дуже конкретні потреби, на які Fun Academy знайшла інноваційні рішення. Було вирішено рухатися далі разом у вигляді проєкту pro bono, оскільки не було часу чекати фінансування.

В основі ідеї – надія та моменти гарного дитинства, які так необхідні дітям. Погляд батьків і вчителів також був вирішальним, оскільки їхня роль полягає в тому, щоб допомогти дітям подолати кризу, дати їм інструменти та впевненість для майбутнього.

Дорослим потрібні настанови та інформація про те, як підтримувати дітей, і про те, що ця підтримка, насправді, складається з простих речей. Також важливо, щоб дорослі розуміли, яку важливу роль вони відіграють у формуванні майбутнього як і дітей, так і цілої нації.

Неможливо сидіти склавши руки, чуючи про такі потреби. Тому ми почали шукати рішення, яке могло б мати значний вплив на широке коло осіб та згодом поширитися. Ми зосередилися на сферах, над якими вже працюємо: підвищення кваліфікації вчителів, розробка допоміжних навчальних матеріалів і створення середовища для навчання.

Оскільки зруйнований дитсадок неможливо відновити, не перебуваючи в безпосередній близькості від бомбосховища, ми зупинилися на мобільному рішенні - автобусі зі всім необхідним. Автобус можна припаркувати біля укриття, а також переміщати з одного місця на інше за потреби, залежно від того, де підтримка найбільше потрібна.

Нам, як освітній компанії, було зрозуміло, що ефективна та стабільна діяльність вимагає підтримки та навчання вчителів та інших дорослих, а також пошуку найкращих рішень разом. Тому із самого початку автобус був розроблений із приміщенням, яке слугує центром підготовки вчителів і терапевтичною кімнатою. Ми не думаємо, що всі основні проблеми можна вирішити в невеликому просторі, але ця невелика, обладнана всім необхідним окрема кімната також може слугувати дверима до інших можливостей, які допоможуть знайти підтримку та варіанти для руху вперед.

Дитячий садок – це місце для гри, навчання, практики, творчості та розвитку. Це місце для взаємодії, радості, смутку, страху, хвилювання та надії. Вкрай важливо, щоб кожна дитина мала доступ до професійно організованої дошкільної освіти. Дитину чують і бачать з її власними емоціями, такими, якими вони є. Діти почуваються важливими, підтримується почуття їхньої власної ефективності.

Корисні україномовні матеріали з інформацією про травми. Щоденний пакет включає в себе ігри, вправи, конструктор, малювання, читання, заняття музикою, перерви на перекус та спілкування. Коли є можливість, можна навчатися на свіжому повітрі, що є дуже важливим.

Попутно професіонали можуть запропонувати батькам долучитися, підтримуючи батьківство з урахуванням психологічних травм та надаючи додаткову допомогу, у разі необхідності.

Одного автобуса, звичайно, недостатньо. Але це дія по-своєму допомагає. Це повідомлення про те, що ми дбаємо, що ми помічаємо та що ми хочемо дати надію та майбутнє.

Оскільки проєкт довелося реалізувати без фінансування, ми запросили та отримали допомогу від великої кількості компаній, організацій та окремих людей, які хотіли надіслати дружнє та підбадьорливе послання дітям та дорослим, які захищають своє майбутнє.

Проєкт був започаткований у зв’язку з потребами, які висловили наші українські партнери. Було само собою зрозумілим, що необхідно спробувати вирішити деякі проблеми, навіть у формі маленького пілотного проєкту. Оскільки після досвіду попередньої співпраці нам вже довіряли, а також через наявність спільної цілі посилити психосоціальну підтримку, проект був запущений.

Fun Academy on Wheels має на меті, зокрема, задовольнити нагальну потребу в психосоціальній підтримці в Україні, служачи пілотним проєктом, щоб допомогти доповнити дошкільну освіту, перервану війною.

Оскільки нові дитсадки мають знаходитися на території, де є укриття та яка була розмінована, цей мобільний освітній центр гарантує, що діти все ще можуть користуватися своїм правом гратися та вчитися.

Дорослим потрібна підтримка, щоб допомогти дітям. Підтримка вчителів через професійний розвиток має певний вплив, але її може бути складно організувати, особливо коли інфраструктура серйозно порушена. Мобільний навчальний центр є одним із рішень, який забезпечує підтримку та наставництво безпосередньо там, де знаходяться вчителі.

Цифрові та дистанційні комунікаційні рішення автобуса надають свіжі матеріали, які допоможуть зосередитися на дуже практичних повсякденних потребах, а також створюють можливості для різноманітного професійного зростання. Співробітники автобуса можуть навчати вчителів і допомагати їм брати участь у спільному професійному навчанні.

Мобільний блок включає кімнату терапії та професійного розвитку, а також повністю обладнаний простір для дитячого садка. Тут також є спортивне спорядження та техніка для дистанційного зв’язку. Спортивний інвентар призначений як для вчителів, так і для старших братів і сестер, які супроводжують дітей в автобусі. Автобус був доставлений до Херсона з пакунками снеків. У комплект також входять матеріали для психосоціальної підтримки та дистанційного навчання. Якщо вас цікавить наше спортивне "меню", воно може здатися досить дивним: хоббіхорсинг, диск-гольф, корнхол, флорбол і мьолккі.

МОБІЛЬНИЙ ДИТЯЧИЙ САДОК ТА НАВЧАЛЬНИЙ ЦЕНТР ДЛЯ УКРАЇНИ

PR-KIT

В Україні повністю зруйновано понад 400 навчальних закладів*, і через війну їх кількість продовжує зростати.

Мобільний освітній центр Fun Academy on Wheels, створений у співпраці понад 30 фінських компаній, відповідає на нагальну потребу в психосоціальній підтримці, дошкільній освіті та догляді за дітьми, терапії та професійному розвитку. Як мобільну одиницю, автобус може бути розміщений неподалік від укриття, що дозволяє за необхідності швидко евакуювати дітей у безпечне місце.

Фінський стартап Fun Academy, який працює по всьому світу, надає допомогу Україні з початку війни. Тепер через ініціативу Fun Academy on Wheels вони допомагають забезпечити високоякісну дошкільну освіту в охопленому війною Херсонському регіоні, Україна.
*https://saveschools.in.ua/

Cartoon Ukrainian Bus transparent background_02.png

Цей мобільний центр оснащено всім необхідним для функціонування дитячого садка, місцем для навчання, терапії та денного догляду, а також великим набором необхідного для цього приладдя й обладнанням для дистанційного зв’язку.

ПАРТНЕРИ

Thank you!

In addition to the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, we especially want to thank the Ukrainian Institute of Education Development (UIED/UIRO), which operates under the ministry, and their partner, the Association of Innovative and Digital Education, as well as the Kherson City Department of Education for the fruitful collaboration that continues both on Ukrainian soil and through remote connections. A cordial thank you to the Embassy of Ukraine to Finland. And special thanks to the Rescue Services Unit of the Finnish Ministry of the Interior.

The Fun Academy on Wheels in Ukraine project involves over 30 Finnish companies and several other organizations committed to giving children the opportunity to enjoy their childhood, learn new skills, feel the respect and acceptance of an adult, make friends, and be inspired by shared physical activities. It is crucial for a child to know they are seen and cared for. We aim to create hope and vision where hope has been shattered.

Our goal is to enable joyful moments and to allow, accept, and respect the feelings that children have. As one child put it, the bus "carries joy," but we must remember that it’s equally important to express and process all other emotions.

It is the responsibility of adults to provide psychosocial support to children. However, most adults need assistance and guidance in this. The bus staff can support professionals and parents by providing concrete guidance—training, guiding, sharing materials, and modeling good practices. The bus can also transport models and materials that equip adults with effective psychosocial support tools.

Soldiers defend what is worth protecting so that children can build the future. Let’s help adults give children the tools they need.

You can read about each company’s involvement in the project by clicking on its logo. The text that opens will also include a link to the company’s own website.

Thank you to:
Akzo Nobel Finland Ltd, Artome Ltd, Discmania Ltd, Elovena / Raisio Group Ltd, Fiberdom Ltd, Fitwood Ltd, Frostdry Ltd, Fun Academy Ltd, Fun Adventure Ltd, Grano Ltd, Helle Cleaning Ltd, Innova Ltd, Jossa Ltd, Kilpex LLP, Koiviston Auto Ltd, Lempi Lifestyle Ltd, Loupd Ltd, Merrell, Motonet Ltd, Norlandia Päiväkodit Ltd, Norders Agency Ltd, ProAgria Keskusten Liitto (the Association of ProAgria Centres), Simulation Wizard Ltd, Sinituote Ltd, Snellmanin Kokkikartano Ltd, Suojellaan Lapsia NGO Protect Children, Tactic Ltd, Tavo Oy, TBWA Helsinki Ltd, Tevella Ltd, The Campus Company Ltd, White Forest Keittiökalustetukku Ltd, Yeseco Ltd.

In addition to companies, the Fun Academy on Wheels in Ukraine project has been supported by individuals who have contributed not on behalf of a company but as individuals, or representing an organization or authority. Their contribution has been just as vital and valuable as that of the companies, and we warmly thank them.

Thank you to Halyna, Heikki, Kaius, Nataliya, Stanislav, Yevhenia, Peter, Jan, Manuel, Terhi, Lauri, Sirkka, Aimo, Jani, Noora, Kiira, Palle, Ilkka, Mila, Päivi, Heidi, Saara, Marianna, Jenny, Olga, Ilona, Henna, Olga, Iryna, Tetiana, Maria, Raija, Sture.

Thanks also to our partners with whom we have worked to support Ukrainian children in previous projects as they all form a chain amplifying the same message of the importance of childhood: Suojellaan Lapsia NGO Protect Children, Teknologiateollisuus Association of Technology Industries in Finland, the Finnish National Agency for Education, Stockmann / Lindex Group PLC, Ace Disc Golf Management Ltd, the Finnish Floorball Federation, Päiväkoti / Kindergarten Metsäpirtti, FCG Ltd, UPC Print Ltd, Tactic Ltd, Posti Group Finnish Post.

We apologize if (and probably) any names have been accidentally omitted from the list.

For childhood and the future,
The Fun Academy on Wheels Team

The Training Platform at the Heart of Fun Academy on Wheels.

Supporting teachers requires seamless professional development and up-to-date materials. The Campus training platform is designed specifically for this purpose.

Frustration with cumbersome technological solutions drove startup entrepreneurs to create a platform with several unique advantages:

- Everything in one place, including video connections

- Student portfolios automatically compiled throughout the course

- Pedagogically sound and efficient course structure

- EASY to use

As Fun Academy on Wheels is a hybrid training project, it benefits from its own training platform, which is part of an innovative overall solution that eases the daily tasks of teachers. The Campus platform is actually the heart of the entire project, as it keeps training materials organized and supports ongoing professional development and scaling of psychosocial support.

We are hopeful that soon the platform will feature locally tailored content produced by Ukrainian teachers.

In this context, we are pleased to thank Laura Nevanlinna for her extremely rewarding collaboration, as well as Jussi Wright and Niko Pettersen for their consulting and development work, already promising exciting future steps!

The Campus Company is a Finnish startup that began with the development of a training platform for early childhood educators:

Wooden Play Equipment Providing Positive Sensory Experiences.

FitWood’s delightful play and exercise equipment is a feast for the eyes on social media. But it’s at home and in early childhood education where they truly bring joy and excitement! The warm, smooth wood surface is pleasant to touch, and wood is a healthy and safe material for even the youngest children.

The designers and manufacturers at FitWood pay attention to even the smallest details, creating sustainable products that are meant to be cherished and passed down to future generations.

We wanted to incorporate Finnish design into the bus, and we’re happy that Katriina Latosaari eagerly joined us in exploring which products from their catalog would be suitable. We were pleased to learn that the wooden block game was made in Ukraine, making it even more special to bring it to the bus’s construction station to delight Ukrainian children. Beautiful and practical!

Finnish design for the whole family:

The Role of a Magician in Implementing the Learning Environment

Jossa Oy has been an invaluable part of the bus project, as the learning environment is at the core of the Fun Learning approach. It’s not about how fancy the space is, but how well it encourages and facilitates play, learning, creativity, and innovation.

Our mobile space is designed to be an inspiring and motivating environment for teacher training, serving as a development platform for various innovations and experiments. The space isn’t meant to be complete but rather a starting point for all kinds of collaborative development.

The professionals at Jossa Oy, with their previous experience in kindergarten design and their current role in managing workspace transformation projects, provided exactly what our mobile space project needed.

In practice, the collaboration was highly concrete, holistic, and fun! A special thanks goes to Johanna Seppälä for her straightforward attitude, rolling up her sleeves, and completing the project with a professional touch down to the last detail. Thank you, Johanna, it was a pleasure to collaborate once again!

Jossa Oy is a Finnish leader in workspace transformation projects (Finnish website):

The Message is Bigger Than a Bus.

When we say that communication is one of the most crucial elements of this project, we must also acknowledge the immense importance of our partnership with the Eleven team at TBWA Helsinki. In typical Fun Academy fashion, this mobile space project is a complex, systemic endeavor that is difficult to simply articulate or describe. Professional help has been essential in this.

But even more important is the message we’ve kept in mind throughout our project: the intrinsic value of childhood, the importance of caring for children’s well-being, fostering hope, and respecting the child in all circumstances. These are things we must take special care of and amplify, especially in times of crisis.

Paula Sonne, Head of the Eleven communications team at TBWA Helsinki, Earned Creative Jukka Raittila and trainees Veera Penttinen and Olga Suominen have refined and shared this message, helping crystallize the essence and recognize the significance of the project, both as a broad communication effort and in its small, impactful grassroots details.

With over 30 companies and various government entities involved, bringing them together in a cohesive communication strategy requires professional expertise: the ability to grasp the big picture and the skill to guide diverse stakeholders. A collective effort demands a shared understanding of core objectives, even though each participant may have their unique way of communicating about the project, ensuring their voice and contribution are heard and seen.

This project is sensitive in its emotional climate, and it’s essential that humanity shines through in everything we do because, above all, this project is a message from people to people. It inspires belief that individual actions matter.

Thank you to the entire team for your incredible contribution.

TBWA Helsinki’s Eleven unit is part of TBWA’s extensive offering:

The audiovisual equipment - a donation from industry innovators.

We have been excited about the top-tier audiovisual technology from Artome, designed, engineered, and built by Finnish innovators. We’ve had the opportunity to test its functionality in various educational environments.

Artome's experts developed a solution tailored for the bus's professional development space, providing high-quality connectivity to the mobile unit in the most convenient and space-efficient way. Experts from both Finland and Ukraine can interact directly with the bus staff and professionals being trained along the route. Artome’s user-friendly solutions enhance learning opportunities by eliminating technical obstacles.

Special thanks to Ossi Paija from Artome, who approached the unique needs of the mobile unit creatively and with an open mind. We also appreciate the delivery and installation support of the equipment, as well as your visit to the bus project site!

Finnish excellence in AV technology:

Simulation Pilot at the Core of Teacher Training

Fun Academy on Wheels is a multifaceted concept that ranges from a straightforward, user-friendly space to a broad, educational international collaboration project.

The goal of the mobile space is to test remote and hybrid training for the vehicle's own staff and to use the mobile space to extend hybrid training more widely across the region. It also aims to facilitate the development of new training programs and materials, both for local needs and scalable solutions.

With Simulation Wizard, the bus will be transformed into a simulation model that enables practical remote training and creates a “sibling model” to bridge interactions among partners operating in different regions and countries.

The 360-degree imaging from Simulation Wizard will be the first step in creating a practical user guide for the mobile learning environment to support the bus staff. Our simulation project is unlikely to end there; the goal is to continue developing the process.

We extend our thanks to you, Anssi Salmi, for joining the bus project and helping the staff become efficiently familiar with the new space and its opportunities.

Simulation Wizard is a Finnish startup specializing in simulation research and development:

Thorough Cleaning of the Bus Respects the Fun Learning Environment

The vehicle, previously used for transportation, is being transformed into a new space: seats and overhead compartments are removed, cargo space is converted into a training center and therapy room—an effective and professional cleaning proves essential before the final renovation can begin. A final clean-up is to be done as the interior renovation is completed.

Sami Kainulainen from Helle Cleaning Oy didn’t hesitate for a moment when asked for help. The work has been carried out incredibly efficiently and with high quality, as one would expect from industry professionals. The bus features a large number of different surfaces, each requiring various techniques and tools for proper handling. Sami’s positive attitude combined with excellent work deserves special thanks.

After the cleaning, the mobile space is ready to welcome Ukrainian teachers, who will begin planning localized activities for their students in the new environment.

Helle Cleaning Oy is a cleaning service company (Finnish website):

This Website Was Built as the Nucleus of the Project's Communication

Fun Academy on Wheels is a multifaceted collaboration project that combines a professional development center with a technologically equipped mobile daycare, tailored to local needs through Finnish-Ukrainian cooperation. Over 30 Finnish companies and several authorities from both countries have been involved in making the pilot possible. Describing such an extensive project requires a clear and well-organized information package.

The communication strategy, designed by TBWA Helsinki, was assembled into a landing page, with Norders Agency providing the solution. This concise website aims to present the cause and objectives as clearly as possible: Every child deserves a good childhood, and our task is to ensure the best for the child in all circumstances. Every small action is valuable.

A big thank you to you, Emin Neziri, for quickly developing the website that serves the project’s partners and helps communicate the message forward. Emin’s collaborative approach has previously proven to be exceptionally pleasant and effective—it's fantastic that we again have the pleasure of having Norders and you on board!

This website has been built at the core of our project’s communication.

Norders Agency is a Finnish sales and marketing agency:

The Teachers' "Uniform" is a Cheerful Apron that Radiates Joy and Friendliness

According to the Fun Learning approach, teachers welcome each child and acknowledge them personally with kindness and respect. In the new mobile space, children might encounter new teachers who they do not yet recognize. A brightly colored outfit helps children spot the teacher, and the cheerful apron reflects a positive encounter.

Thank you, Sanna Bal, for participating in the project by outfitting the daycare staff in Lempi Lifestyle’s aprons! The apron serves as protection for their own clothes while also complementing the visual design intended for the children to enjoy.

Lempi Lifestyle Oy is a Finnish interior and lifestyle store:

Initiator of the Project, Advocate for Fun Learning and Play.

The Fun Learning approach and Fun Academy's engaging Kip Crew characters help narrate a large systemic framework, making it feel joyful and light, even though the process is pedagogically robust, diverse, and designed to be adaptable to local needs.

Local conditions, especially in crisis areas, require sensitivity and respect for the community's needs. Fun Academy's experience and collaborative approach in multicultural contexts are a perfect fit for this complex and effective project.

About the Fun Learning approach:

Brightening up the Disc Golf Equipment!

Among the range of activities included in the bus project is disc golf—specifically, discs and baskets suitable for putting practice. The appearance of the baskets has been made fun with colorful tape—on a real disc golf Fun Adventure course, the tape indicates the difficulty level, but these baskets in the bus will be placed in suitable spots depending on the situation, so the difficulty level of the target will vary.

Heartfelt thanks, Toni Mielikäinen, for being part of the project's inspiring sports setup.

Kilpex Ky is a professional in signs and markers (Finnish website):

Biodegradable Cutlery for When Washing Isn't Possible

The mobile training facility organizes meals similarly to picnics: some food is heated with hot water, and some is enjoyed at room temperature. Activities on the daycare side are ideally arranged outdoors whenever the weather permits

Sometimes it's most convenient to use disposable utensils, and when that’s the case, we prefer those that are plastic-free, wood-based, biodegradable, and safe. So, we were delighted to receive a set of Fiberdom utensils for the bus.

After lunch, the test group of daycare children washed their forks and used them as paintbrushes in the painting corner: they produced great results and had a joyful time. Thanks, Tomi Järvenpää and team, for providing the eating utensils for the bus, which also seem to inspire creative projects!

Fiberdom Oy is a technology company that develops, manufactures, and commercializes more responsible and environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional plastic products:

Inspiring the Whole Family and Community to Get into Disc Golf

Disc golf is the passion of this team, and their enthusiasm is contagious!

The bus is equipped with numerous disc golf elements from Kalevi Louhivuori’s network at Fun Adventure Ltd, sure to bring joy especially to siblings of the little ones. Among the sports equipment in the bus are baskets and discs for putting practice. The baskets can be set up in pop-up style and then moved to the next location to introduce more people to the sport.

Physical exercise, training together, and being in nature are part of the psychosocial support package. The great thing about disc golf is that players of all skill levels can enjoy it together, which helps in trying out a new sport. Putting practice is, of course, suitable for professionals as well.

Through the Campus learning platform, Kalevi and his partners will guide teachers and sports coaches in introducing youth to the sport. The partners are world-class experts and stars in their field, providing the best possible guidance. Bohdan Aleksieiev from Disc Golf Ukraine is Fun Adventure's local partner who can help with a more in-depth introduction to the sport.

Fun Adventure Oy is a disc golf startup:

A disc golf basket and discs provided for the use of teachers and youth.

Innova Ltd joined our project to support our program that encourages physical activity and outdoor exploration. They supplied both discs and a basket, which can be used also by teachers participating in professional development and by families bringing their children to engage in the bus’s educational sessions.

Disc golf is the fastest-growing sport in Finland, particularly among young people. The sport’s low entry barrier, its promotion of well-being in natural environments, and its undeniable contribution to overall health make it an ideal addition to our psychosocial support package.

Thank you for your support, Innova:

A Sound System Innovation That Inspires Children's Curiosity

Loudspeakers can sometimes be challenging to integrate into a space. There may not always be an ideal spot or surface to place them. Many devices are cumbersome in environments with small children because they need to be handled with care and are not easily movable.

What if a speaker could be a painting, or rather, if a painting could also be a speaker? Finnish companies RD Physics Oy and Loupd Oy have developed a truly fun audio device, which we have placed in the mobile unit's children's music and reading corner.

It's exciting for children to explore where the sound comes from, whether sound is energy, and how sound travels. Can the Future Astronaut space-themed picture be recognized as a sound device? What does it feel like, and what can a board/picture sound like? Do all boards make sounds?

Loupd’s innovation is exactly the type of product we’d love to see more of. Perhaps, as the bus travels, it will discover new, suitable solutions for learning environments in Ukraine that we can test together.

We thank Kim-Niklas Antin for the enjoyable collaboration on the bus's audio system. We believe the device will spark many interesting conversations and curiosity among the children. We look forward to hearing their thoughts and questions; we’ll definitely revisit these topics together later!

Loupd Oy is a Finnish startup specializing in listening experiences:

Good Pairs of Shoes Enable an Active Daily Program

Fun Academy on Wheels is a training, therapy, and daycare space. It also serves as a sort of sports center, carrying a fascinating selection of low-barrier sports that are suitable for nearly everyone: disc golf, floorball, hobby horsing, mölkky, and cornhole.

Merrell is a fitting partner for this variety of activities because they offer footwear suited for all kinds of movement. Thank you, Sami Mikkola, for your package of children’s shoes! They will certainly be needed and beneficial for the children engaging in these activities.

Good sports gear helps inspire physical activity!

Merrell Footwear:

Even Astronaut Food is Freeze-Dried!

On space stations, astronauts eat freeze-dried food. What could be a better solution for the Fun Learning characters—Maco, Tuka, Soca, and Waaba—working in the mobile space?

Freeze-drying is a well-known method for preserving food for extended periods. Finnish company Frostdry's entirely new technology preserves the flavor and nutrients in freeze-dried products better than before. The method is also environmentally friendly, as it reduces energy consumption even by over 70%.

Free school meals are a major social innovation in Finland, significantly impacting Finnish society and education by enhancing well-being and learning conditions since 1948. We are pleased to refer to this familiar and valuable aspect of Finnish life by including food in the bus project.

Play, learning, and physical activity are central to the bus’s activities, and energy is needed for both adults and young learners. By freeze-drying, we can offer nutritious meals, ensuring the bus isn’t limited to just snacks.

A big thank you to Henri Helanto, Miia Helanto, Michael Ericsson, and Kim Nurmi for freeze-drying and packing the meals for the project! Frostdry wishes to thank Arlo Roström, and their partners who supported the meal donation: Kiriprintti Ltd for the labels on the meal boxes, and Playful Pixels Ltd for the help in controlling the freeze-drying process.

Frostdry Oy is a Finnish pioneer in freeze-drying:

The Car Wrap Tells Everyone That This is a World for Children!

When the bus was wrapped by Grano Oy, the transformation felt complete. The wrap is not just a sticker; it tells its own story about what the bus is and what it represents. A picture speaks louder than words—the purpose of the bus is clear when you see it: this is a place for children, a vehicle that aims to bring joy, inviting everyone to come closer, explore, and be inspired.

The image visualizes the activities children will engage in with their teachers. Fun Academy's illustrator, Manuel Galdon, created a joyful scene where the characters of the Fun Learning Kip Crew—Waaba, Maco, Tuka, and Soca—are reading, making music, playing, and moving around in a sunflower field spread across the Kipinoi planet.

Grano’s precisely cut wrap, made to measure, with its vibrant colors and professional installation, transformed the bus into a wonderland of learning and play. Seeing the bus in this new form for the first time was an emotional moment. It became much easier to continue building the bus, as its look reinforced our belief in this joy-bringing project and strengthened our motivation.

Working with Hanne Kuusisto and Siru Myllymäki on this printing and wrapping project has been wonderfully smooth and enjoyable. A warm thank you to both of you and your team!

Grano Oy is a Finnish multi-industry company specializing in helping clients maximize the impact of their communication on various surfaces:

Our bus project’s major donor, whose contribution truly made the mobile unit mobile.

Fun Academy on Wheels got its wheels thanks to Koiviston Auto. The hybrid solution designed for teacher training found its physical form inside a former Onnibus coach.

Koiviston Auto not only donated a vehicle for the use of Ukrainian teachers and children but also, with great heart, managed the massive modifications that transformed the bus into a hub for psychosocial support and a joyful space for learning and play.

We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to all Koiviston Auto employees for their work on the bus. A special thanks goes to Mika Valonen and Hannu Ojainmaa, members of the project coordination team, whose guidance ensured the work progressed in a spirit of positive collaboration throughout the entire process.

Koiviston Auto is a Finnish bus company (Finnish website):

Helping to Ensure Equipment Functionality

The bus's training area is equipped with AV technology, and the preschool section has a sound system, both of which required additional equipment for proper installation. Fortunately, Motonet stepped in to assist seamlessly with the project.

Behind the mobile unit, there is much expertise and material that may not be visible but is crucial for the operation. Thankfully, there are always experts available who can help make the whole setup functional.

Thank you, Eero Broman, for promptly arranging the necessary assistance.

Motonet is a retail store for automotive needs and a Finnish family business (Finnish website):

Pedagogical Expert and Messenger of Children’s Greetings

Norlandia Päiväkodit (Norlandia Daycares) has provided invaluable expertise and support during the designing phase of the mobile unit and its educational activities from the very beginning of this project.
Collaborating with professionals to fit activities into a compact space and develop effective pedagogical practices has been both rewarding and productive.

A particularly valuable part of Norlandia’s contribution is their role in delivering children’s greetings through the bus's post office to Ukrainian children. The joyful and encouraging messages from children carry some happiness and create a natural and playful connection between them. Children visiting the bus each receive a drawing from the post office that our Kip Crew character Maco hosts. These drawings can be discussed together in circle time with the bus staff.

A big thank you to all the early childhood educators who have helped produce these drawings with the children. And a special warm thank you to all the children!

On behalf of the project coordination team, we would like to express our sincere thanks to Miia Kollin and Johanna Heikkilä for the excellent collaboration, which has always been respectful of children, supportive of holistic well-being, and appreciative of the importance of psychosocial support. Norlandia’s interest in innovation within the field has also been greatly appreciated.

Norlandia Päiväkodit is a Finnish daycare chain that is part of the Norwegian Norlandia Health and Care group (Finnish website):

Hobby Horses and Cornhole on Board With Clear Positive Impact

The Association of ProAgria Centres, an expert in agriculture, is also accessible to children. Agricultural-themed games and activities actually form an incredible learning-motivating ecosystem that is both enjoyable and engaging for children.

For the bus project, we selected a couple of items from ProAgria’s agriculture-themed play package that are exciting for physical activity and amusingly related to agriculture. How about hobby horses and a cornhole game? These delightful and playful activities get many children moving, helping them develop crucial motor skills for physical growth. However, the main goal is to inspire them to engage in active and free play.

The bus’s sports equipment package is both fun and versatile, but the hobby horses provided by ProAgria are likely to spark interest in crafting as older siblings (or grandparents) of preschoolers begin making their own hobby horses. We predict this!

In connection with the donation for the bus, we would like to thank Suvi Anttila for arranging the hobby horses and Birgitta Salminen for including the cornhole boards in the starter package. Our special thanks go to Noora and Kiira, who donated beautiful hobby horses from their own hobby horse stables to bring joy to Ukrainian children and inspire them to enjoy this fun activity. A handmade gift made with care is especially valuable. Thank you!

The Association of ProAgria Centres is a national advisory and development organization in the field of agriculture:

Acoustic Expert

The bus's dedicated therapy and training space received a stylish acoustic solution in the form of Yeseco's clouds. For children, these clouds create a beautiful and calming visual element that comfortably covers the space.

The acoustic properties of the clouds enhance the ambiance of the area and remind adults of the many challenges in learning environments that we need to address in order to create the best possible environment for children.

A well-designed environment fosters well-being, and the impact of sound on the comfort and efficiency of work and learning spaces is becoming better understood. Yeseco is an expert in these areas.

I would like to especially thank Kalevi Kulonpää for the incredibly pleasant collaboration over the years. Thank you also for this donation, which has made the psychosocial support space more comfortable, beautiful, and functional with the help of Yeseco.

Yeseco is a Finnish company with top expertise in acoustics and quality design. Yeseco enhances learning spaces with products that address one of the design challenges: sound distribution in a space:

Experts in Trauma-Informed Approaches as Part of the Psychosocial Support Package

Immediately after the outbreak of the war, Suojellaan Lapsia ry (Protect Children) and Fun Academy developed trauma-informed psychosocial support materials to be used with children to enhance emotional skills. We hoped the need would be acute but short-term.

The care booklet has since been translated into 16 languages. UPC-Print from the city of Vaasa participated in the campaign by printing bilingual (Ukrainian-Finnish) versions of the booklets, which have been included in the bus’s materials. The Stop, Slow & Go materials, produced in collaboration with Protect Children, have also been translated into Ukrainian—rules for digital traffic are especially important to learn when circumstances are unstable and children’s safety is at risk in many ways.

For the bus project’s training segment, we once again included our close partner through the provision of educational materials for teachers. We believe these trauma-informed materials will be of great assistance and joy—they are designed to be playful and easily accessible in line with the Fun Learning approach.

The entire team at Protect Children does incredibly unique and valuable work to support children and their parents who have experienced trauma. For this project, we extend special thanks to Nina Vaaranen-Valkonen and Katariina Leivo for their collaboration. Let’s continue working together to protect children and find ways to support when needed. Effective psychosocial support is based on solid research and development of emotional skills that can be learned from a young age.

The Protect Children NGO raises awareness about the phenomenon of sexual violence against children and strengthens child protection to prevent these crimes:

ЗАДУМКА

Fun Academy — це освітня компанія, яка у співпраці з партнерами створює педагогічні рішення, що базуються на унікальному підході Fun Learning. Наші рішення розроблено для справді міжнародного застосування та адаптуються до будь-якої навчальної програми. Наша мета — підтримати професійний ріст викладачів і розробити інноваційні та цікаві навчальні ресурси. Щоб дізнатися більше про інші проекти Fun Learning, відвідайте https://www.funacademy.fi/new-blog

Ми прагнемо, щоб кожна дитина відчула турботу і підтримку, а гра, навчання та спілкування у цьому унікальному мобільному дитячому садку стали фундаментом для побудови кращого життя у воєнний та післявоєнний час. Дякуємо Fun Academy за підтримку цього важливого проекту.

Наталія Софій, директор Державної установи «Український інститут розвитку освіти», кандидат педагогічних наук

ХОЧЕТЕ ДОЛУЧИТИСЯ ДО НАСТУПНОГО ПРОЄКТУ?

Проєкт автобуса реалізовано pro bono без фінансування. Наступні можливі автобуси будуть реалізовані через некомерційну асоціацію. Якщо Ви або Ваша компанія зацікавлені в участі в запуску наступних мобільних просторів для навчання, будь ласка, залиште нам свою контактну інформацію, і ми розповімо вам більше про це.