At just 13 years old, Oleksandr Bahrii from Kivertsi, Volyn region, already knows the value of resilience, support, and determination. Despite the challenges he has faced, he continues to learn, dream, and move confidently toward his future.

Oleksandr joined the free English language courses provided by Hope – children of Ukraine a few months ago. His goal was simple: to improve his English skills and become more confident in expressing his thoughts.

“Before, it was difficult for me to build sentences correctly and communicate in English. Now I know many more words and feel much more confident,” Oleksandr shares.

What he enjoys most about the lessons is working in pairs and groups. This format not only helps him practice English but also develops communication and teamwork skills. He also enjoys creative writing assignments, which allow him to express his imagination and ideas.

After only a few months of learning, Oleksandr has already noticed significant progress. His expanded vocabulary helps him understand texts better, participate more actively in class, and feel more comfortable using English.

Behind these achievements lies a difficult personal story. In recent years, Oleksandr experienced the heartbreaking loss of both his father and grandfather. Despite this pain, he continues moving forward with the support of his family.

“My family is my greatest support. They help me stay strong and keep going,” he says.

Today, Oleksandr dreams of traveling the world and discovering new cultures. He believes that English will be the key that opens those opportunities.

“I want to travel and explore different countries. English will help me communicate with people all around the world,” Oleksandr explains.

At the end of our conversation, he shared a message for everyone who supports children through charitable initiatives:

“I sincerely thank all the people who support children and donate to charitable projects. Your help is very important to all of us.”

Thanks to the generosity of donors and supporters, children affected by war and loss receive more than access to education. They gain opportunities to grow, build confidence, pursue their dreams, and believe in a brighter future.