On May 25, 2024, the new kindergarten was ceremoniously opened in Khust, which is spacious, equipped according to modern requirements, and functions as a structural department of Khust Grammar School No. 4. The building of the new kindergarten is 640 m2 and can accommodate 40 children.
The construction of the kindergarten was an old dream of the Hungarian community living in Khust. The establishment of the kindergarten was possible within the framework of the "Carpathian Basin Kindergarten Development Program" with the support of the Hungarian government and the cooperation of the "Saint Martin Caritas" Transcarpathian County Charity Foundation. The construction began in 2018 and completed in 2023.
The ceremony was attended by the Deputy Mayor of Khust: Hubal Vaszil, the Consul General of the Consulate General of Hungary in Uzhgorod: Jozhef Bocskai, the director of the "Saint Martin Caritas" Transcarpathian County Charity Foundation: Ferenc Feher, the chief consul of the Consulate of Hungary in Beregovo: Istvan Buczko, the head of Khust City Council of Department of Educational, Religious and National Affairs Officer - Olesja Kalinich, head of the Department of Religious and National Affairs, the parish priest of the Roman Catholic Parish of Khust, Sandor Szulincsak, the curator of the church: Istvan Toth, and many other guests, thanks to whom the children of Khust received such a beautiful gift.
The event began with the blessing of Father Sandor Szulincsak, who later consecrated the preschool institution and wished fruitful work and achievements to children, teachers, and management of the kindergarten.
The deputy mayor of Khust, Vaszil Hubal, also greeted those present on the event: "This day is a holiday for children and their parents. We hope that this institution will be full of children's noise, games and sincere emotions, here the children will receive kindergarten education and develop their talents.
Thank you to everyone who has worked together and coordinated this project over the years. We made the budgetary decision to maintain this preschool institution, so that it can function fruitfully despite the difficulties of the war, and its doors are open to the children of Khust."
On behalf of the guests, Istvan Buczko, the senior consul of the Hungarian Consulate in Beregovo, addressed the attendees with welcoming words: "I warmly welcome everyone who came to share this joy, because the kindergarten is the place where play and learning go hand in hand, where close friendships are formed, where the children get to know each other and the beauties of the world around them. Respect and thanks to everyone who contributed to the realization of this project, which will become a second home for the children. We are all united by the idea that it is always easier to destroy, but much more difficult to build and develop. We feel this especially in these difficult times, when there is a war in Ukraine. We all want peace and support Ukraine with a strong humanitarian aid program – from rebuilding health and education facilities to restoring war-damaged buildings. This kindergarten is open not only to Hungarian children, but to all children. I wish for further joint work for the benefit of the region, mental and physical health, God's blessing, and that the much-desired peace will come as soon as possible under His protection."
Olesja Kalinich, head of the Department of Religious and National Affairs of the Khust City Council, joined in the words of welcome: "The kindergarten is not just a building, but a home where children's laughter and joy reside. Today, when a terrible war is raging, we understand better what a great happiness it is to hear the laughter of children and to have the opportunity to take care of them. We thank our Hungarian neighbors for their ongoing support, as last year the children of refugees living in Khust, as well as the children of fallen soldiers whose parents are fighting at the front, had the opportunity to vacation in Hungary. And we will continue the educational work started here so that the children's dreams come true."
For the ceremonial opening of the kindergarten the children prepared as well. The youngest students of the institution entertained the guests with a small performance, while the students of of Khust Grammar School No. 4 performed a Hungarian folk dance.
After the ceremonial cutting of the ribbon, everyone could admire the new kindergarten.