While their parents are defending their country, children of Ukrainian military personnel are getting a chance to continue their sports journey — thanks to a new international scholarship program.
The Ukrainian Champions initiative was launched by American-Ukrainian singer and public figure Kelsey Kimberlin. As noted in the material on Interfax , the program provides financial support to children from families of Ukrainian defenders who are involved in sports: the funds will go to pay for sections, equipment, and tournaments for a period of 6 to 12 months.
The main character of the campaign was 16-year-old Maria Gnes, a soldier’s daughter and karateka who refused to greet a Russian woman at a competition. This moment of personal dignity spread across the Internet and became the basis for the music video “Champ,” filmed in Kyiv against the backdrop of air raids and shelling. In less than a month, the video gained about a million views on YouTube.
“These kids live in uncertainty every day. Sports give them the discipline and strength to move forward,” Kimberlynn said.
The founder of the Kelsie Kimberlin Foundation has been implementing humanitarian and cultural projects in support of Ukraine since the start of the full-scale invasion. In 2025, she received the UN Humanitarian Award, and her documentary about the Ukrainian events is preparing for wide release after success at international film festivals.
