In the photo: participants of the event “Clothed in Dignity”, held on November 9, 2024.
The concept of “dignity” is a key part of our mission to promote responsible and competent leadership in Ukraine. Clothed in Dignity, the project organized by our partner New Life Evengelical Church, perfectly fit in our mission, serving as a specific response to the urgent need.
For over 30 years, New Life has served Ukraine through various initiatives, from feeding the homeless in Kyiv to initiating theological discourse on rethinking the role of the Church in society, as well as representing Evangelical community in the Sobor Council under the President of Ukraine.
When we learned about “Clothed in Dignity”, how carefully it was designed to address the delicate age and psychological issues ot the women who suffer from the war, we gladly agreed to contribute 50,000 UAH for this cause.
The event provided moral, spiritual, and psychological support to women during the war through a comprehensive psychotherapeutic event.
On November 9, 2024, the NGO Ukrainian School of Elites supported the Kyiv-based New Life community in hosting the therapeutic gathering “Clothed in Dignity” for 100 women from Holosiivskyi and other districts of Kyiv.
Psychologists Maya Chyhyr and Viktoriya Androsova, with extensive practical experience, led the event.
In addition to receiving professional advice during the theoretical segment, participants engaged in practical activities. At round tables, in a warm and safe atmosphere, they shared their pain, challenges, and emotions.
By the end of the event, the women reported spiritual, moral, and psychological relief, admitting strongly positive psychotherapeutic effect. They pointed out emotional stabilization, inner peace, and strengthened resilience. The gathering was filled with sincere tears, smiles, and warmth. Such a support is crucial for every Ukrainian woman during wartime.
100 women, aged 18 to 65+, received helpful psychotherapeutic assistance at the Clothed in Dignity event.
Collaborative projects like this show the power of partnerships, where each plays a role. The New Life Evangelical Fellowship handled the event’s organization and volunteer mobilization. Experts, including psychologists (Victoria Androsova and Maya Chyhyr) and volunteers, provided professional support. The Ukrainian School of Elites contributed a portion of funds, thanks to our partners at WEA BC. Together, we are fostering change in Ukrainian society through clear and purposeful projects like Clothed in Dignity.
100 women, aged 18 to 65+, participated in the psychotherapeutic event.
In the photo: Participants of one of the programs organized by our partner organization GoFriends, under the GoFriends IT Academy initiative.
On October 7, 2024, the Ukrainian School of Elites supported the efforts of its partner, GoFriends NGO, in providing psychological and physical rehabilitation for families of veterans, internally displaced persons, and vulnerable groups of people (including orphans) affected by Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.
Since 2022, the NGO Go Friends (GoFriends IT Academy) has been actively supporting those affected by the war. On a specially equipped farm, they created conditions for the psycho-rehabilitation of veterans and their families, where they can find healing—both emotional and physical. Spending time in nature is often a critical recommendation from psychologists and psychotherapists.
Learn more about the GoFriends NGO in our blog post.
Each month, 20 to 100 people undergo rehabilitation at GoFriends.
In October 2024, together with our international partners from WEA BC, we supported these efforts of GoFriends financially with a contribution of 40,000 UAH.
For more details on the results of our collaboration with GoFriends, see the post “Support for the Psycho-Rehabilitation of War Victims.”
Join our fascinating project — Ukrainian language EdTech learning programs for the Ukrainian diaspora children, to support 30 million Ukrainians all over the globe.
As a result of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, approximately 7 million Ukrainians were forced to leave their homes in search of refuge abroad.
As of September 2024, according to the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, more than 335,000 Ukrainian students, while being abroad, continue their studies in Ukrainian schools. At the same time, about 250,000 students remain outside the Ukrainian education system:
No country in the world can provide 500,000 Ukrainian schoolchildren abroad with the necessary number of teachers of the Ukrainian language.
The literacy level of Ukrainian students abroad is rapidly declining due to the inability to study their native Ukrainian language, which helps shape their way of thinking.
Those students who dream of returning home to live, study, and work in Ukraine are deprived of the opportunity to study the Ukrainian language, which is not only the “language of nightingales” but also mandatory for admission to any institution of higher education in Ukraine, the language of official and business communication, as well as the state language.
The percentage refers to the total number of Ukrainian refugees who left Ukraine after Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.
In addition to the 7 million Ukrainian refugees who left their homes after 2022, it is worth mentioning the post-Soviet period of emigration. In the first decades after the restoration of independence, 6 million Ukrainians emigrated abroad. This period spans from 1991 to 2014.
Thus, there are 13 million Ukrainians abroad in the modern period of our history: 6 million who left their homes from 1991 to 2014 and 7 million refugees from the Russian war after 2022.
However, this figure is not final. Even before the full-scale invasion, the Ukrainian diaspora numbered about 20 million people, spread across the globe. The largest communities live in the following countries:
As of 2024, considering the “historical” Ukrainian diaspora (over 20 million people), Ukrainian emigrants of 2014 (6 million), and wartime refugees (about 7 million), there are over 30 million Ukrainians abroad.
Who will teach their children Ukrainian? Where will we find enough teachers? What educational and methodological resources exist specifically for this category of children, schoolchildren, and high school students? This is the problem that the “Children of the Diaspora” project aims to systematically solve.
Ukrainian communities abroad strive to preserve Ukraine’s cultural heritage through educational institutions. For example, in the USA alone, there are about 30 Ukrainian schools, including:
In other countries (Argentina, Brazil, Canada — dozens of countries), Ukrainian schools also function, often feeling disconnected from the Ukrainian education system and experiencing a lack of educational and methodological resources for proper teaching of the Ukrainian language, literature, and culture.
As of September 2024, there are more than 350 Ukrainian educational centers worldwide, and their number is constantly growing.
It is worth noting that these are usually small schools operating solely on a volunteer basis. They are often schools attached to Ukrainian spiritual centers (often Catholic communities), informal gatherings on Saturdays or Sundays organized by Ukrainian parents living in a particular locality.
To help over 30 million Ukrainians abroad in the USA, Canada, Australia, European countries, and other parts of the world learn Ukrainian language and culture, we initiated the development of EdTech programs for diaspora children.
The goal is to help millions of young Ukrainians abroad learn the Ukrainian language and culture through a system of EdTech programs and applications developed by top experts — modern, engaging, user-friendly, interactive, and gamified (with a gaming component).
The Ukrainian Elite School takes responsibility for initiating, developing, administering, and implementing this project.
Our partners and specialists have already implemented similar projects. Among them is the interactive mobile app “Bible for Kids,” specially designed for preschool and early school-age children.
One of the most successful examples of what our project for children aged 8–10 will look like is the Ukrainian-language app “Bible for Kids.” It was implemented thanks to the joint efforts of the organization “OneHope,” Bible.com, and the Ukrainian localization expertize (translation, media, and technological solutions) led by Oles Dmytrenko.
Result: The app has already been downloaded by over 50 million users. Details can be found on Bible.com, where you can download it for free and see how fascinating this program is for children, their parents, and even their grandparents!
Another example of a great product for school-aged children is the GIOS Math Learning System, developed by our friends and co-founders of the EdTech Association Ukraine, which includes the Ukrainian School of Elites.
See how interesting, thanks to interactive and animated technologies, Math learning can be (in our case, the Ukrainian language programs). The GIOS platform is used by over 100,000 students in Ukraine alone.
Thus, our project involves creating a series of interactive programs and applications for learning Ukrainian using the same innovative approach — including technology, visualization, engagement, gamification, and user interaction to educate and develop Ukrainian children in all parts of the world.
By inviting the best experts — teachers, graphic designers, EdTech masters and others — we will develop an exciting educational system that evokes positive emotions and facilitates learning by our children, bringing joy to their parents and grandparents.
Audio, animation, games, and much more will work to ensure that millions of Ukrainian children enjoy communicating in their native language and pass on Ukrainian culture from generation to generation.
According to the policies of most investment and charitable funds, priority is given to global projects with international impact or those related to “entering foreign markets.”
This means that commercial ideas of “scalability” often take precedence over the humanitarian mission of solving pressing problems, such as a child’s broken psyche when living abroad and feeling disconnected from their people, language, and culture. Or the desperate attempts of Ukrainian parents whose children were born in another culture to pass on the rich and fascinating linguistic, literary, and cultural heritage of their nation — due to a lack of resources.
Due to popular grant requirements, universal subjects such as math, physics, robotics, etc., quickly receive funding because they can be “scaled.” Meanwhile, the Ukrainian language (literature and culture) does not fit standard criteria.
Thus, there are two main obstacles:
Are there other obstacles to implementing this project? No, there are no other obstacles. We have unique experience in project development, administration, and implementation. We have established an excellent network of partners, specialists, and like-minded people.
We know how to implement this grand project from A to Z. All that is needed for its implementation is financial support in line with the budget.
The total cost of the project: $1 million USD.
The cost of the first phase: $200,000 USD. Duration of implementation: 12 months.
The total budget covers the development, administration, and implementation of the complex project consisting of thirty-five components:
The implementation of the first stage of the project, “Development of methodology and creation of the first EdTech program — for preschool and early school-age children,” is scheduled for a period of 12 months.
The cost of the first stage: $200,000 USD. It consists of the following components:
To support the “Children of the Diaspora” project, write to us (click the “Support” button).
The financial goal of the first stage is to ensure a reliable project budget equivalent to $200,000 USD.
These funds will have a specific purpose (the “Children of the Diaspora” project).
Legal entities, foundations, organizations, or individuals can request the necessary documentation — payment documents, thank-you letters, reports, etc. Join us!
We keep records of every contribution made by our friends, like-minded people, and patrons toward the project — date, amount, donor name, purpose. Each donor receives a financial report, as well as updates on the progress and results of the project.
The names of donors and organizations supporting our mission are displayed on the Thank You Page (except for those who prefer anonymity or request to be listed as Incognito). Join us, and let’s do something great together!
The purpose of this project is to secure a future for 100 Ukrainian students by helping them get into university through our 9-month preparatory program.
In Ukraine, students who score high enough on the national entrance exam (NMT) can study at a public university for free for 5 years. Given Ukraine’s urgent need for highly qualified professionals to rebuild the country, these students will succeed in life and be able to care for others.
Learn how the project works, what it costs, and how you can help.
In Ukraine, a student who scores high enough on the national entrance exam can study at a public university for free for 5 years. Because of the war, many Ukrainian teenagers may never reach that point.
War has made normal learning almost impossible for many Ukrainian teenagers. Air raid sirens interrupt lessons. Schools keep switching between in-person and online learning. Teenagers live under constant stress, instability, and exhaustion.
Many parents have lost their homes and jobs, now live in poverty, and cannot afford tutoring for their children. Some students stayed in Ukraine only because their parents had no money to leave the country. Many have also lost a parent in the war.
Failing to score high enough, these teenagers risk losing their future. Ukraine will urgently need highly skilled professionals to rebuild after the war. Without higher education, they will not qualify for that work.
Another problem is that many Western donors focus on “feeding the poor” while overlooking a more strategic need: education. This project is for those who care about lasting change.
Many high school students and prospective university applicants dream of higher education but cannot adequately prepare for admission. Among them are:
This youth faces various challenges—local, psychological, and social—that the project aims to resolve.
Local problems:
Psychological problems:
Apart from financial and educational challenges, this youth experiences a range of psychological issues:
National-level problems:
Ukraine’s recovery from the destruction caused by Russian military aggression requires:
When motivated youth are deprived of opportunities for self-realization, the state loses its most valuable asset—human potential.
Social consequences:
Young people who are unable to achieve their first major goal—admission to a higher education institution—due to circumstances beyond their control (financial difficulties, loss of one or both parents, etc.) often resort to anti-social behavior and degrade.
Join the project that will improve the lives and destinies of 100 children from socially vulnerable categories. The project will have the following positive effects:
Instead of wasted years, this youth will gain a successful future. These boys and girls will acquire modern professions and become self-sufficient, supporting their families. The country will receive a new generation of energetic, highly qualified professionals essential for post-war recovery.
Project duration: 9 months.
Budget: 2.7 million UAH.
Budget structure:
The project cost includes the following:
The project will involve the best specialists and partners:
You can support the project with any amount. Together, we can change the world for the better, giving a future to 100 Ukrainian high school students and prospective university applicants.
Cost breakdown:
Support one, two, ten, or even all of our students to contribute to the mission of forming a generation of competent, successful leaders who will rebuild Ukraine.
In the photo: Oles Dmytrenko moderates a seminar organized by the partner organization LeaderImpact on compliance during wartime, Marianna Rozumna serving as an expert speaker.
We classify all events related to the development of our mission as strategic (holding strategic significance for the Ukrainian School of Elites and its impact). They include both internal and external activities, such as:
In the photo: Olga Dmytrenko, psychologist and program author.
In addition to educational programs, the Ukrainian School of Elites develops and executes various projects addressing:
Besides educational programs, we implement projects:
Besides, we can support partner projects aligned with our mission. We also conduct short-term volunteer projects, such as seminars or workshops.
The funding of a project depends on factors such as:
For instance, developing mobile apps or desktop EdTech programs for humanitarian purposes can cost upwards of $100,000. Meanwhile, short-term seminars can be run by our experts who volunteer their time and expertise. Or we can support partnerships events.
These projects aim to tackle psychological issues, support mental health, and foster psychological competence. Alongside this work, we also focus on other project areas, including education and innovation.
Join us to help transform society for the better.