The M. Lomonosov Lyceum in the municipality of Balti has a renovated sports hall. The donation, worth USD 118,000 and including renovations to changing rooms and showers, is part of joint efforts by the U.S. Government, IOM, and local Moldovan authorities to foster social cohesion among Ukrainian refugees and the host communities, IPN reports.
The lyceum has a Ukrainian refugee among its teachers and is the high school in the municipality of Balti with the largest number of Ukrainian students (14), who, alongside their mates, will enjoy team sports activities and training for local and national competitions in the renovated hall.
Mayor of the municipality of Balti Alexandr Petkov said that thanks to this support, all students will be able to study in safe and comfortable conditions.
“Today, here, we all have the same feelings: joy and excitement. The high school has a new, completely renovated sports hall: repaired painted with whitewashed walls and ceiling, excellent lighting, new doors. The development of physical education and sports is no less important than bright classrooms and the most modern computer equipment,” said the Headmaster Valentina Ivanova.
“The United States is proud to support improvements to the Lomonosov Lyceum as part of our assistance to Moldovan communities hosting Ukrainian refugees. I’m so moved to see how the school community here has welcomed Ukrainian refugees. This is a beautiful example of Moldova’s hospitality and generosity,” said the Deputy Chief of Mission of the U.S. Embassy Daniela DiPierro.
“I hope these facilities foster a sense of community so that the Ukrainian refugees who attend the school feel at home here together with hundreds of Moldovan students. I was heartened by the words of Balti's Mayor, Alexandr Petkov, when he spoke of the Ukrainian children in the Lomonosov lyceum as 'his children'. IOM’s investment in these renovation works would not have been possible without being able to rely on the generous donation of the United States Government. We have several projects in Balti, and we are working with the municipality to evaluate other opportunities,” said Lars Johan Lönnback.
The donation was made possible with the financial support of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration, within the project “PRM Contribution to the IOM Regional Appeal for Ukraine and Neighboring Countries – 2023” implemented by the International Organization for Migration in the Republic of Moldova.
