Better Time Stories

Go to to gift a (re)connecting package! The war in Ukraine is causing a large flow of refugees to European countries. Among them is a quarter of all Ukrainian children, about 1.8 million, that have already fled the country, and many others are displaced in Ukraine. In the name of these children, we reach out to you. For a child, this is an extreme experience. The family is broken up. They miss their father, mother, or relatives who have stayed behind in Ukraine. Precious possessions such as toys and books were also not included, and everything in the new host country feels different. What can we do for these children to light up their situation? With this question in mind, Better Time Stories was founded by Ukrainian social-tech entrepreneur Andriy Shmyhelskyy through his company iKs B.V. and the number 5 foundation, founded by princess Laurentien and prince Constantijn. The non-profit initiative offers young children a gift set of five bilingual picture iKs books on themes such as comfort, love, and optimism. Via a secure web app, family members in Ukraine can narrate the books remotely. While reading the children can hear their voices. The aim is to bring families closer despite the distance and make them feel like a family again. The gift pack welcomes families into their new host country and helps them get familiar with their new environment’s language.