On November 9, 2024, the Ukrainian School of Elites supported an initiative promoting the mental health of women during wartime by participating in the therapeutic gathering “Clothed in Dignity.”
The event was organized by our partners, the New Life Evangelical Fellowship in Kyiv, and took place in a church hall. The organizers worked hard to create a cozy and welcoming atmosphere, arranging round tables for comfortable communication and a separate tea area for relaxation.
The gathering brought together approximately 100 women aged 18 to 65 from various regions of Ukraine. Despite the age differences, participants had the opportunity to engage in meaningful conversations, share experiences, and uplift one another.
The event featured spiritual music, delicious food, a creative workshop, and delightful surprises for the attendees.
Psychologists Maia Chyhir and Viktoriya Androsova delivered inspirational speeches, sharing their expertise and addressing a key question:
The Ukrainian School of Elites provided financial support to the New Life Church in organizing this program, affirming our shared mission of care, empowerment, and social responsibility.
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.
On October 5, 2024, Psychologist Olga Dmytrenko, a volunteer at the Ukrainian School of Elites, conducted a mental care training session titled “Self-Care” for Kyiv’s New Life Evangelical church community during the retreat and rehabilitation weekend in a forest area of Cherkasy region, 2 hour drive to the South from Ukraine’s capital.
Internally displaced people, the elderly, young students, and others were built up emotionally and psychologically. Olha shared latest scientific research data on self-care. And conducted a practical part of the session. The training was a treasure in view of the war trauma and the consequent permanent stress everyone is experiencing as long as the war continues.
The Ukrainian School of Elites is honored to be represented by such experts as Olha Dmytrenko, the professional with a big heart.
On October 4, 2024, expert in Strategic Communications Oles Dmytrenko, a volunteer at the Ukrainian School of Elites, conducted the Increasing Productivity training session for the Kyiv’s New Life Evangelical church community during a retreat and rehabilitation weekend in the Cherkasy region in Ukraine.
During the training, participants were introduced to such concepts as Agile, Kanban, and the incremental and iterative approach (used in the IT sector, particularly in Scrum), as well as the specifics of how the human brain operates in terms of “task switching.”
Mr. Dmytrenko conducted an empirical experiment that revealed excessive time and effort wasted by the human brain during task switching. At the same time, he identified a method to eliminate “switching” and focus on completing similar tasks to increase productivity—allowing for a greater volume of tasks to be completed in less time.
Oles Dmytrenko is a founder of uMOVA EdTech StartUp. He represents the Business Coalition of the World Evangelical Alliance in Ukraine. Since 2023, Oles managers Government Relations at CFC Big Ideas and volunteers for the Ukrainians School of Elites.
Oles has two higher educations, in Languages and International Economic Relations, followed by professional managerial training in Germnay (Academy for International Economic Relations in Berlin) and the U.S. (Indiana School of Philanthropy, Indianapolis, IN, USA), and 20 years of managerial experience.
Representing the Ukrainian School of Elites, Oles shared his valuable knowledge and experience with those members of the New Life community who came to the weekend for restoration, but also seek ways to increse their work productivity and find work-life balance.
In total, nearly 300 people received spiritual and psychological support during the event. For our school, it was an honor to participate in this event by conducting this and one more activite, a Mental Care Training titled “Self-Care” and conducted on the following day by Psychologist Olga Dmytrenko, who also serves as a volunteer at the Ukrainian School of Elites.