Report on LifeNets Vinohradiv Project 2013 by Natasha Kubik

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July 6, 2013

This past June my father Oleh and I were extremely blessed to take our third trip to Ukraine to teach English in the Vinogradov Orphanage with my cousin Colin, Winston Snyder, my Uncle Eugene, Mathew and Maria Guske.  Although I was unable to stay the entire time due to a summer class in July, my experience was nothing short of amazing and one that I found to be the most eye-opening.

Since my first trip in 2011, it amazes me every year how the children grow; both physically and in their personalities.  They grow to be bold and hard working young people.  I was really impressed this year at some of the older students’ English vocabulary.  They told us that that had been studying in anticipation for our arrival this year.

One of my favorite moments of the trip was when I talked with one of the students, Josef, while he ate his lunch.  It was the first time in all three years that we were able to sit down and have a full conversation.  I learned that, although these children will never tell you, they have a very difficult life with a lot of pressure.  Josef told me that he and his brothers learn more English in the two weeks at camp every summer than they do the entire year during English class in school.  He said that they like that we do not just teach out of a book, but that we use fun conversations, games, and crafts that help them learn how to speak real English instead of just teaching out of a textbook.

The same qualities apply to the Ukrainians as they did in 2011.  They are all still super hardworking, honest, and loving.  Togetherness is very important to them and they would not trade anyone they love for any physical item on earth.  These children, although I hate to say it, need to learn English so that they can escape the cycle of their hard life, where their outcome is living in poverty and hopelessness. If they learn the language, their boundaries expand beyond the borders of Ukraine. The LifeNet’s summer program must continue.  Not for my sake, but for the sake of the children’s future and the future of Ukraine.

I was very sad that I could not stay the entire camp this year.  I continue to pray for each and every one of the children and their families.  I pray that they will continue to grow healthy and strong with a continuous search of the knowledge of God.  And I pray that they are one day rewarded for their hardwork and loving nature.  I pray that this program continues and that people see the success of this program and donate to these children, even when I and other members of the team are no longer on the journey.  Ukraine must not be forgotten.  Amen.


(Natasha H. Kubik)