Two years of «Oleina – for children. Cooking with love»: how culinary masterclasses help children return to everyday life

July 8, 2026

In June 2026, the «Oleina – for children. Cooking with love» project marked its second anniversary. Over these two years, culinary masterclasses for children supported by the Children of Heroes Charity Fund have become a regular space of support, connection, and new skills for children who have lost one or both parents to the war.

Guided by professional chefs, the children cook together, work as a team, and learn recipes that are easy to repeat at home. The masterclasses take place at the Yevhen Chernukha Culinary School. Since the project began, 40 culinary masterclasses have been held.

Why cooking? Preparing food together is more than learning new recipes. It is an opportunity to interact with peers, gain positive experience of working alongside others, see the result of one’s own effort, and build confidence.

The mechanism is simple: a child goes through the whole process — from completing a specific task to a dish made with their hands, which they can taste, share with others, and repeat at home. That is why culinary masterclasses have become one of the Fund’s socialisation formats, alongside psychological support and other programmes.

The effectiveness of this approach is supported by international research linking regular participation in cooking programmes with improved socialisation, self-esteem, emotional well-being, and a sense of belonging.

The Fund’s internal surveys also point to the programme’s positive impact:

  • 92% of children are ready to use their new cooking skills at home;
  • The average rating of emotional state during and after the sessions is 4.7 out of 5;
  • 78% of participants reported positive interaction with other children;
  • 94% would like to take part in such activities again;
  • 83% are ready to recommend this format to others.

One of the project’s participants, 15-year-old Ilona, says the Asian cuisine masterclasses stayed with her most, and that the sessions have inspired her to cook at home more often and to experiment with new dishes more confidently.

Over the whole period of the partnership, the Oleina brand has directed UAH 10,733,000 in charitable assistance to the Children of Heroes Charity Fund, of which:

  • UAH 733,000 went towards the culinary masterclasses;
  • UAH 10 million went towards children’s support programmes and the Fund’s work.

Thanks to the brand’s systematic support over two years, several important initiatives for children supported by the Fund have been delivered, including:

  • Over 29,000 educational lessons in English, Ukrainian, and mathematics;
  • 358 psychological consultations;
  • 240 children took part in the Svitliachok (The Little Firefly) psychological recovery camp;
  • 39 culinary masterclasses;
  • Over 400 vouchers for warm winter clothing;
  • Over 850 New Year and Christmas gifts.

In 2026, the «Oleina – for children. Cooking with love» project was recognised in the Responsible Country National Ranking in the category «Support for people affected by the war».

Two years of partnership show that long-term cooperation between businesses and the charitable sector can create sustained support programmes rather than one-off initiatives. It is this kind of systematic assistance that gives children not only access to the services they need but also the chance to feel supported, make new friends, and gradually return to everyday life.

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