Family from Ukraine finds solitude with Union City, TN kindergarten class

UNION CITY, Tn. (KBSI) – A kindergarten class welcomed student from Ukraine with open arms.

The Kostanian family fled Ukraine to escape the country’s war with Russia. They found solitude with a family member in Union City, Tennessee where Union City schools welcomed the family in.

Sarah Brown’s kindergarten class “rolled out the red carpet” for the youngest of three Kostanian children, Oleksii, by displaying pictures, maps, and information on Ukraine – even before he arrived on the first day of school.

Brown also set up a display in the corner of her classroom as a place of reference to learn about Oleksii and his country.

“I’ll never forget the look on his family members’ faces when they saw this hanging in my classroom,” Brown said of the display. “They were brought to tears, but all I could imagine was the difficulties they’d faced on their journey – leaving their home and businesses and immersing themselves in a world that was new and unknown to them.”

When the children were asked about the trials the family had faced before fleeing Ukraine the children recalled,

“On February 24, 2022, Russia attacked Ukraine. At that moment, we were in the city of Kharkiv in our house and woke up at exactly 4:00 a.m. from loud explosions. It was very scary. I kept dreaming about explosions and war for a long time.” 

The explosions heard were attacks on military bases and all the power structures of the city of Kharkiv. After 10 days of living out of their basement the Kostanian family decided to flee from their home and country.

“I feel so blessed to have been given the opportunity to teach him and to teach my students about different cultures,” said Brown. “Diversity is always embraced, and I can’t wait to see how this young boy grows up in our school system and the amazing things he will do one day!”