Metinvest’s corporate programme “First Time - First Grade” has been running continuously since 2012, supporting the employees who are parents by providing schoolchildren with stationery supplies. This year, 320 first-year pupils whose parents work at Zaporizhstal, Zaporizhvognetryv, Zaporizhcoke, and ZLMZ will begin their studies with school kits provided by Metinvest.
“I am glad that Metinvest and Zaporizhstal remain true to their traditions, and that in all times we help prepare the children of our workers for the start of the school year. Two hundred boys and girls from the families of Zaporizhstal employees will go to school with stationery kits provided by Zaporizhstal. I sincerely wish the schoolchildren an engaging and vibrant academic year, full of discoveries and new experiences. To the parents, I wish patience and strength to be a pillar of support for their children during this important and challenging time,” noted Taras Shevchenko, Acting General Director of Zaporizhstal, Hero of Ukraine.
The school kits for the children have been assembled in accordance with the recommendations of educational institutions. The first-grade kit provided by Metinvest includes essential supplies without which school lessons would be unimaginable: notebooks, a diary, pens, pencils, erasers, rulers and creative sets, among other items.
“Preparing for school is always a considerable expense, so these essential supply kits help relieve parents of that burden. For my son, it is a wonderful and colourful gift; he is eager to go to school. Like all parents, we are anxious and are also preparing ourselves for this new stage in our child’s life. It is good that the plant helps and supports us; this is very important,” notes Ihor Sevriukov, father of little Sashko and a driver in the Transport Department of Zaporizhstal.
Traditionally at Zaporizhstal, in addition to the school kits, children who celebrated their birthdays just before the Day of Knowledge received gifts. Additionally, on the eve of the new school year, a themed celebration was held for the children and families of servicemen and war veterans who have returned to work at the plant after their service.