40 teenagers.

12+ countries.

One chance to replace conflict with conversation & Action.

May 31st - June 5th, KidsKonnectUkraine & Scholas Occurrentes are bringing together 40 diverse selected teens—many directly impacted by war and conflict—for a 5-day immersive program in Rome and the Vatican. 85% needing financial support for travel, including receiving a fully funded program.

15 youth are from across Ukraine, 9 from the U.S. and 16 youth represent other countries across Africa, Central/South America, Europe and Asia. They come from all walks of life.

They won’t just talk about peace. They’ll build it.

-Dialogue across conflict lines

-Mental health & resilience workshops

-Youth-led projects launched back home

-Lifelong global connections

-Audience with Pope Leo

Donation Tiers:

$15 — Fund health insurance for one participant

$25 — “Voice of Support”

Fund Meals for participants

✈️ $100 — “Travel Step”

Support ground transportation for youth traveling from conflict regions.

$250 — “Program Access”

Support a Ukrainian Flight & Workshop Session

$500 — “Global Bridge Builder”

Supports a Visa and Travel for participants from conflict zone.

️ $1,000 — “Peace Sponsor”

Covers 50% of one youth’s travel, programming + stay.

‍‍ $2,000 — “Fully Sponsor a Teen”

Fully funds one participant entirely from a conflict zone.

️ $5,000+ — “Founding Partner”

Sponsors multiple youth, programming and meals.

“We are young, but we are not untouched.

We come from places where the air has been heavy — with fear, with anger, with silence.”

“We did not choose the conflicts we were born into.

But we are choosing what comes next.”

“We refuse to inherit hatred.

We choose to lead — not someday, but now.”

Project Oxygen isn’t just a program—it’s a declaration from the next generation.

Fundraising Goal

$50,000

Supports covering flights, housing, meals, programming, and post-program mentorship.

Urgency:

Flights and visas are being finalized now.

Without funding, some youth simply won’t be able to come.

All donors receive updates and recognition.

What Happens After Rome

“When we leave Rome, we will carry more than memories.

We will carry projects we designed ourselves, for the communities we love.”

Each participant leaves with a real, youth-led project—turning dialogue into action across the world.

About the Initiative

Project Oxygen is led by KidsKonnectUkraine.org, a global organization connecting 5,000 youth across borders through dialogue and shared experiences, in partnership with Scholas Occurrentes, founded by Pope Francis to promote a culture of encounter and peace worldwide in over 190 schools.

“We are not asking the world to save us.

We are asking the world to make space for us to save what we can.”

Help us make that happen.

Questions? Email KKU Deputy Director Taylor Thigpen on our website.

*In partnership with Applied Hope Foundation, all sponsorships and donations are fully tax- deductible.