The second year of the project “Stay with Ukraine” is over. This project was created for the Ukrainian children who temporarily reside abroad because of the russian aggression.
During the academic year, the teachers in the project conducted vibrant online lessons in the Ukrainian Language, Literature, and History of Ukraine for 5th-11th graders. The classes are organized according to the special curricula designed by our educators.
1881 students participated in the project. This amounts to 80 academic groups and 53 teachers. Overall, 7920 lessons have been conducted – 2640 in each of the disciplines (Ukrainian Language, Literature and History of Ukraine).
At the end of the project, 580 children received certificates. The project reached out to more than 20 countries: the UK, Germany, Poland, the Baltic states, the US, Canada, Scandinavian countries and many more where Ukrainians had sought refuge from the war.
Olena Budyk, “Stay with Ukraine” project manager:
The Project “Stay with Ukraine” for me is a beam of hope, especially when you watch the teachers and the children. Inspired and inventive teachers with a lot of love for the children and their subject is at the heart of this project. The children who attended the classes were responsible, motivated, and aspiring learners. They always participated in the thematic projects: despite their workload in other schools and extra-curricular activities, they came to study here.The second year of the project has united a lot more children, and their attitude has also changed. In addition to learning, the children also came to communicate, to freely exchange opinions, ask questions without hesitations, share their concerns, and most importantly, to feel the real support both from the teachers, and the classmates.”
The lessons in the Ukrainian Language, Literature, and History gave the students an opportunity to feel at home for a while and gave them hope that when they come back to their native schools, they will not fall behind the curriculum.
The project had no grades. The students did tests, which were not mandatory, but most of them did those.
In addition to the main lessons, they also had creative activities. The children willingly joined all of them: they did applications, painted the eggs, sang songs and many other things.
Maryna Semyshkurna, “Stay with Ukraine” project coordinator:
“Most of all in this project we are inspired and amazed by the children, who actively supported the organizers’ additional ideas despite being really busy.
I remember the idea with wishes to all their mothers. The minute we sent a request to the children, we received more than 200 replies from the children.
And thanks to this sincere support, we in turn did everything within the deadlines (even at night). Because we could not let the children down.
Through the project “Stay with Ukraine” we aim not only to show the importance of staying in touch with Ukraine for those who are currently abroad. “Stay with Ukraine” is also a community of teachers who want to change the sphere of education, as personality is largely shaped through education.
They are not only mentors. Primarily, they are the people who can be contacted by the children with any question and the children can always rely on their understanding and support.
Project teacher Iryna Kalitovska:
“The project with such a symbolic name has become a challenge for me. Although it was my second year in the project, I was worried if I could create a comfortable academic environment for various students.
How to become a community united by one idea, how to stay with Ukraine when geographically you are so far away from your native land. But we succeeded. We became united teams. The children did not only learn, but also talked a lot about their various hobbies, about their success in the new schools, about their dreams.
We said a warm good-bye to the eleventh graders, who will continue their education in European universities. And sixth graders want to meet again in September, to stay with Ukraine.”
Project teacher Yevhenii:
“It has been my second year in the project (time really flies fast), and I would like to sincerely thank all the organizers and administrators of the course “Stay with Ukraine”! It has been a great pleasure to work with the children, to see their interest in the subject, to read the parents’ feedback, who email you and thank personally. Thank you for this wonderful opportunity to receive good emotions, for the constant support and understanding throughout the year.”
Project teacher Ivanna Ryzhan:
“I would also like to thank you for this opportunity. It was my second year in the project. Excellent organization, support, inspired and motivated children, who readily listen to the Ukrainian word, learn, ask for additional materials, are truly interested. This communication has been pleasant and inspiring. God bless your path, dear students. Best of luck and new achievements.”
We are sincerely grateful to all those involved: participants for their participation, parents for their trust and always being in touch, teachers for their professionalism and for hard work despite all the challenges.
The project team is beginning to prepare for the next academic year with inspiration and faith in the power of Ukrainian education, and with a desire to support all Ukrainian children who need support and connection with the native land.
Yulia Vyshnevska, “Stay with Ukraine” project coordinator:
The results of our work could be seen in the feedback from the people for whom we are doing it all. This year we have received a lot of gratitude from parents, children, and teachers. This is what gives us faith that we are doing something important.”
The Project “Stay with Ukraine” is implemented by “Smart Osvita” NGO with the support of Global Giving.
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