While the children were finishing their academic year in the project “Stay with Ukraine”, we prepared a feedback story about a family that learned with us, the Revutskys – Miss Svitlana and her two children, our students Yehor and Darya.
The brother and the sister have been in our project for two years. Darya is an active, funny and talented 11-year-old girl, currently a 6th grader. Yehor is 14 years old, a 7th grader who has special educational needs, as he has certain disorders in socialization, behavior and educational skills.
The children joined the project in September 2022, when they were in Qatar, as their father had a work contract there. At that time Darya was a 5th grader, and Yehor – a 6th grader. The children were going to the local English schools, and in parallel remotely in the Ukrainian “State Lyceum “International Ukrainian School.”
“Basically, we were studying there by ourselves, as we, parents, as well as grandparents through Skype, were their teachers. We also engaged some tutors, but to find and pay for so many tutors, and to find the time for this, was very difficult.
When we joined the project, it has become much easier to study. Firstly, the time was convenient, secondly, the curriculum was relevant to the children’s grades, and thirdly and most importantly, the attitude of the teachers to our children.
The daughter was really fascinated. She said, “Mom, these are the best teachers, they ask about our opinion, they ask us how we feel, they call us little stars. But we, as parents, would like to express our special gratitude to the project for the approach to the education of our son Yehor, who is a child with special educational needs,” says mother Svitlana.
Miss Svitlana recalls that at first, the son’s education within the project was difficult, she and her husband were sitting next to Yehor and helping him as assistants. But gradually, the boy got used to it and started joining the lessons by himself.
“He is interested in the project and participates in it according to his abilities. The teachers are very tolerant and patient to his behaviour and the speed of information reception. We received a lot of additional advice, and we see the teachers’ participation and motivation to teach Yehor. It really inspires us and gives us strength to move on. Because teaching a child with special educational needs is a difficult and incomprehensible path, like an extra credit question, but with such teachers we are confident that we will succeed,” says Svitlana.
Recently the family has returned to Ukraine. The children now study onsite in local schools, but they also continue studying in our project.
“Darya joins, when possible, as she has an afternoon school shift, and attends different clubs. But I asked for the psychologist’s help for Darya, so that she would more easily adapt to the new changes. And it was possible with the project. She works with an incredible psychologist, Miss Nataliya, who found the time in the morning, which is convenient for Darya. And Yehor diligently attends all the classes, never misses a class, moreover, he himself reminds others that he will have a lesson. This is already part of his life and his usual routine, which gives strength and confidence to any person, especially Yehor, for whom stability is very important.
We thank you sincerely for your work. Best regards, the Revutskys.”
The Project “Stay with Ukraine” is implemented with the support of Global Giving.
You must be logged in to post a comment.