In Their Own Words

Kostya Halak 
Alla Oleshko
Iryna Petrovska
Iryna Popkova
Roman Starodub
Serhiy Polishchuk
Sasha Lyausova

Kostya Halak 

Graduated from University of Economics and Law “Krok”; Received a Master’s degree and a degree of a Specialist in Accounting and Audit.

After graduating with honors from Kamenets-Podilsk Planning and Economic technical school, Kostya enrolled in the third year at the “Krok” University.  He received “Red Diploma” with his Bachelor’s degree. He was also recognized as one of the best students at the Master’s level and received a special Dean’s award. The UCARE scholarship money paid for Kostya’s stay at the dormitory for three years. Because he attended a private university, he didn’t receive a scholarship from the government. Thanks to the University administration, he had a job as an accountant which allowed him to support himself. Even though Kostya suffers a disability, he eagerly engages in sports and won multiple awards in a variety of competitions.  Kostya participated in summer camps both as a child-orphan and as a scholar of “Pryyateli Ditey.” He also participated in the events organized through “Students to Children” project.

“Dear UCARE sponsors,  I am grateful for your financial support which allowed me to pay for the dormitory and my studies. I received a high level of education thanks to your assistance.  I resigned from the position at the university and got a new job at the institute which has also provided me with a place to live. I hope that we will continue to stay in touch.  I am thankful to all the people who supported me all these years. My special “Thank You!” goes to Tania Hrytsiv, Shyla Markus, Oksana Lyseyko, Irka Tkaczuk, Marta Kolomiyetz, Peggy Lynch and others whom I met while participating in the “Scholarships” project.”

Alla Oleshko

Graduated from the National University of State Customs Agency; Received a degree of a Specialist , majoring as an economist.

Alla joined the charity fund five years ago at the time when she began her studied at the Academy. She was a UCARE scholarship receipient for the last two years.  She is extremely industrious and talented.  She participated in almost all the “Pryyateli Ditey” events such as New Year celebration for children-orphans, summer camps, and others. She also volunteered in the office of “Pryyateli Ditey” where there is a ample of work for everyone.  She brought two younger friends to the fund and demonstrated good leadership skills.

Alla was an excellent student, who worked tenaciously and graduated with Honors with “Red” Diploma of a Specialist. She found a job at the Customs Inspection agency but need to pass a final interview. The young woman is confident that she will succeed.

“Dear UCARE sponsor, I am grateful that you care about me and supported me for my last two years at the Academy.   Thanks  to the fund, I met real friends, with whom I share similar concerns. Now I realized that the change I experienced in my life was due to the knowledge I acquired from successfull individuals and from my participation in many events and projects which I greatly enjoyed.  I hope that you and the fund employees will continue to be that island where we, today’s graduates, will come as our home.”

Iryna Petrovska

Graduated from National University of State Customs Agency of Ukraine with a degree in Accounting and Audit

Iryna was involved with Pryyateli Ditey for a few years. Last year was the first and only year that she participated in the Educational project “Scholarships.” Quite a few events occured in Iryna’s life during her senior year. She was elected to be the group “starosta” which allowed her to demonstrate and build leadership skills. She took dance lessons and engaged in sports such as table tennis, volleyball, swimming. Iryna completed courses of massage but, most importantly, she successfully defended her thesis at the university.  Iryna’ new job assignment will bring her to Lviv where her brother and sister work and reside and with whom she has good relationships.

“I was very frugal and vigilant as far as the way I spent the scholarship money that I received.  I tried to spend little and save some money because I knew that I will need it as I begin a new page in my life when I need everything, including a place to live. This will help me to get a new start in life.  Thanks to you, sponsors, I realized that goodness and justice exist. May God bless you and your family!”

Iryna Popkova

Graduated from Berdyansk State Pedagogical University with a Master’s Degree with a double major Ukrainian Language and Literature and German Language and Literature.

Iryna joined the Scholarships project per recommendation of her sister, Tetyna Lysetska, who was also sponsored by UCARE. At first, Iryna was reserved and insecure.  As a result of her participation in the scholars’ conferences, she started to overcome her “fears” and revealed her true self. Today, the graduate is a talented, out-going, and confident individual.

Iryna participated in “Students to Children” program,  “We Care,” and summer camps.  During conferences, she read her poems, took part in completitions, and shared her experience of overcoming fears with younger students.

“I tell everyone that my participation in Scholarships project changed my life.  Our coordinators, Tetyana and Olena, were the first ones who really talked to me. Before, I didn’t believe that there were people who would create goodness without expecting anything in return.  I had no voice and was afraid to express my opinion. While assisting the administration in organizing summer camps, “Students to Children” events, students’ conferences, and talking to mentors inspired me to become a leader myself.  I discover new benefits that communication with other brings into my life. That’s why, I want to become a psychologist.  But for now, I am looking for a job related to my majors.

I want to wish you new energy, creativity, new ideas, new scholars, and many joyful, warm, and kind relationships.”

Roman Starodub

Graduated from Cherkasy National University with a Specialist degree in City Governing. 

Roman and his friends joined “Scholarships” project right after he had entered Trade and Economics College. He was  a good student and after college, he decided to go to his native Cherkasy to get a high education.

When Roman was a student at college, he often visited our office and engaged in different activities and events.  Working with young children-orphans was one of his strenghts – they listened to what he had to say and respected him. He was an active participant of summer camps and “Students to Children” program.

“ It seems as if it was just yesterday that I started the university, but today and I graduated. Six years of my student life passed by so quickly. I have happy and pleasant memories of summer camps, various activities, vacations with my friends. Today my new life begins – a job search and planning for my future.

I want to thank you for your financial support during all those six years.  Frankly speaking, your assistance was much needed and always useful.  I regret that I didn’t have a chance to meet you and thank you personally.”

Serhiy Polishchuk

Graduated from Khmelnytsky National University with a degree of a Specialist in Machinery Manifacturing and Technology.

Serhiy always strives to better himself. After Volodymyr-Volynsk orphanage-internat, he studied at Novovolynsk Electro-mechanical technical school where he had graduated with honors.  He didn’t stop there but continued his studies at Khmelnytsk University.  He shared that his classes were challenging and he spent many night studying hard. 
Serhiy is an interesting and creative individual: he is an avid reader; he plays a few musical instruments; he learned German and English by himself; he enjoys traveling and dreaming of his future.

“It is sad to say good-bye to the Charity Fund “Pryyateli Ditey” because it was really neat to participate in all the events! During my participation with the “Scholarships” project, I met many students from different universities. I enjoyed all the interesting meetings which were part of educational and entertainment programs. I attended concerts of great musicians at the philarmoniya/concert hall, visited delphinariy, etc. – I can write a lot about it. The fact remains that the charity fund evolves each year and that is fantastic! The montly scholarship that I received from you,  my sponsors, was so much needed! Thanks to your support, I could buy books, take additional classes and field trips. In a nutshell, students need scholarships.”

Sasha Lyausova

Graduated from Hortytsky National Education -Rehabilitation Multi-Vocational Center, majoring as a computer operator and assistant supervisor. She completed her third year of studies.

Sasha is a responsible individual and a reliable friend.  Whenever there is a meeting of graduates, all the graduates from Tsyurypinsky internat, tend to gather around Sasha.  She is very personable and likes to stay in touch with other students.  She successfully completed her last year of school, including the course “Assistant /Secretary Supervisor.”

“I was with “Pryyateli Ditey” this past year and received monthly scholarships.  Thanks to your organization, I can grow as an individual and have more opportunities in life.  This is very important for me!  It is sad but I completed my studies. I will work where I studied – at the Hortytsky Center. In addition to my job, I enjoy swimming and will complete in December.

I am deeply thankful for another opportunity to visit Kyiv on July 2-3, 2011 to attedn the Graduates’ Conference which was well organized and very interesting.  I enjoyed it. We visited the delphinariy “Nemo,” the museum under the open sky “Kyiv in Miniature” – it was very interesting and a lot of fun.  I met many friends with whom I stay in touch. I will miss you, but hopefully, we will maintain contacts and continue to work together.”