This story was first published on UNICEF's website.

As a result of the ongoing violence in Ukraine, twin brothers Mykhailo and Oleksii have struggled to stay focused on their studies.

Not only did the 9-year-olds lose their home after being forced to flee the shelling in the Dnipropetrovsk region. But, last year, fourth grade began in a brand new school, with their teachers and classmates only visible through a laptop screen.

"As internally displaced people, we had to adapt to a new place, as all our friends were left behind,” says Nataliia, the boys’ mother.

Now, however, Mykhailo and Oleksii are finding their way once more. They have been regularly visiting a Digital Learning Center (DLC), run by UNICEF in the Kharkivska region.

Since then, they have been able to improve their knowledge of maths and the Ukrainian language, and communicate with their peers.

Maryna, a teacher at the DLC in Bohodukhiv, is overjoyed to see the twins’ progress.

Most of the classes are held in cities where schools only operate in an online format, making this project the only opportunity for local children to learn in person.

Classes currently run in the Volynska, Dnipropetrovsk, Zhytomyrska, Zakarpatska, Kirovohradska, Kyivska, Lvivska, Poltavska, Odeska, Mykolaivska, Sumska, Kharkivska, Khmelnytska, Cherkaska, Chernivetska and Chernihivka regions.