Children’s Voices of Hope: IvAlive Takes Part in the Order of St. Panteleimon Ceremony in Basel

When we speak of hope, it’s important to listen to children’s voices — open, sincere, and full of dreams for the future. These voices were at the heart of our participation in a special ceremony in Basel dedicated to the Order of St. Panteleimon — an international award that honor those who support Ukrainians and help save lives.

Since the start of the full-scale invasion, the Order has gained international status and continues its mission — to care for the sick and to recognise those who stand with Ukraine in its most difficult times.

This year, the award was presented to Conrad E. Mueller, Director of the Universitäts-Kinderspital beider Basel — a hospital where Ukrainian children with serious injuries and health conditions receive care after being forced to flee their homes due to the war.

A Day Filled with Warmth and Meaning

For the children in our care, the day began with a visit to the local zoo. During the bus ride, we sang songs, laughed, and talked about the exciting day ahead. Later, during the official ceremony, the IvAlive choir opened the event with several songs. Their voices became a symbol of the future we are all working toward.

After the ceremony, the children enjoyed another special moment — freshly baked pastries from Bäckerei Bumann, kindly offered by the bakery owners themselves. Such small but thoughtful surprises create a real sense of care and support.

What Was Discussed at the Ceremony

The speakers addressed several key topics, including:

• the support offered to Ukrainians living in Switzerland;

• the destruction of Ohmatdyt, Ukraine’s largest children’s hospital;

• the Early Birds initiative for newborns — CHF 50 aid packages provided by Zuerich hilft der Ukraine (ZhdU);

• and other projects aimed at helping and protecting Ukrainian families.

A Message to Remember

Even in the darkest of times, we can stand together, support each other, and inspire hope, no matter how far we are from home. This day was a powerful reminder that strength and hope live in unity, care, and in children’s voices — voices that remind us why we keep moving forward.