A cup of tea is no substitute for a window

How Windows from Switzerland are Making Samar Vocational School Warmer

At first glance, a window might seem like a small thing. But when it no longer closes properly and temperatures drop in winter, it can decide whether a room is usable at all.

That is the situation at Samar Vocational School in the Dnipropetrovsk region. Many of the windows no longer close, and cold air flows freely into the classrooms. They urgently need replacing so that lessons can continue through the winter. Together with our partners Angels of Salvation and RE-WIN, LIBERECO is helping the school replace them with high-quality second-hand windows from Switzerland.

Some of the new windows have already been fitted in the newly equipped training lab for aspiring pastry chefs, where students learn their craft and prepare food on electric cookers. The new windows keep the room warmer and open easily, so the lab can finally be properly ventilated during practical lessons.

But working windows matter beyond the classroom.

The deputy head also works as a practising psychologist, offering counselling to students, teachers, staff and parents. The window in her counselling room, however, is old and badly damaged. It no longer closes properly, and in winter the room becomes bitterly cold.

“People come here to talk, to find support, to unwind, and sometimes to share very personal experiences,” she says.“But it’s hard to create a sense of calm and safety when someone is sitting there shivering.”

She often makes hot tea or coffee so her visitors can warm up. It is a small gesture of care, but a cup of tea is no substitute for a working window. A new one would make the room warmer and quieter, providing the privacy and sense of security these conversations need, especially at a time when so many people are carrying a heavy burden.

The windows already fitted in the pastry lab show that replacing windows can make a real difference. Students can only learn and practise their craft if the rooms they train in are usable. They can only concentrate and grow if they feel safe and supported. Warm classrooms and a quiet place to talk are therefore more than mere comforts. They lay the foundations for practical skills, qualifications and, ultimately, livelihoods. Step by step, the school is becoming a warmer, more welcoming place where young people can build a future for themselves and their communities.

Through our Windows for Ukraine project, intact used windows from Switzerland are given a second life in Ukrainian homes and public buildings. RE-WIN coordinates their collection in Switzerland, LIBERECO supports their transport to Ukraine, and our local partner Angels of Salvation organises their installation.

We would like to express our sincere thanks to our financing partner Siemens Caring Hands e.V.!