Raising funds to send displaced Ukrainian teenagers to Outward Bound
Teaching war refugees resiliency and leadership skills
Nationwide
Tens of thousands of Ukrainian teenagers are fleeing the horrors of conflict, becoming separated from their fathers, older brothers, wider family members. These are young people who’ve had their lives and their stability destroyed by the war Russia continues to wage.
I’m raising money to send displaced Ukrainian teenagers to attend an Outward Bound course in Sovata, Romania in mid 2023.
They are the future of Ukraine and I believe they would benefit immensely from some structured leadership and resiliency training, to help them deal with the challenges that lie ahead for them, and for their families. An Outward Bound course will help give them the skills to assist them to recover and go on.
These students are juggling their school curriculum, online, whilst learning Romanian and English to cope with their new environment. They are also helping others at the refugee centre where they help to cook, clean, take care of younger children, make beds and sort donations.
The money is for 12 students accompanied by one adult Ukrainian translator/liaison, qualified to act as support throughout their journey. Although this is just a few of the many thousands, these children need our help to rebuild their lives.
If half the funds can be raised by the end of 2022, the course can be booked/finalised.
The total will need to be raised by end of March for the plan to work because these kids have nothing, all suitable clothing and footwear must be purchased for them in advance.
Heather Black's involvement (page creator)
I volunteer at the refugee centre where these teenagers live/work and I have observed how fleeing their country has impacted them.
Use of funds
The money raised would cover all costs. The course fees for a group of 11 students (plus liaison officer) to attend the course, their transport from refugee centres across Romania, plus the clothing they need e.g. tramping boots and cold/wet weather gear.
Latest update
T minus 2 days - update part 1 of 2 parts 29 June 2023
Unfortunately, they could not find a driver this time. It has become too dangerous to move people across the Odessa region.
The girls were bitterly disappointed as they had been on the list for 9 months, working hard in English speaking lessons with me twice a week, to prepare.
They are staying positive and they do realise that they have already achieved something pretty remarkable, getting their English language skills to the point where they have gone from one or two basic words such as “hello” and “goodbye”, to being able to hold conversations about the weather, school, activities they are interested in, movies, hobbies and their career aspirations etc. One of them even got some Maths coaching from my husband, when they were stuck on a problem. That's pretty advanced!
Some kids depart from Sibiu, some from Brasov. My trusted contacts are helping by driving the kids to personally drop them off.
The kids are all excited, a little nervous but the thing they all have in common is a deep sense of gratitude for the opportunity you have provided to them. They know this will be very good for them and their guardians have sent me many messages of thanks, coupled with genuine astonishment that a community of people in far away New Zealand care this much about their kids and the future of their sovereign nation.
So, THANK YOU!
Heather B
P.S I don't expect to receive photos from the course but if I do, I'll post them in one last update before the page closes in two weeks.
Latest donations
Ah you made me laugh Jeremy. That’s fantastic! Thank you so much.
This is really generous of you Chris, thank you very much!
Who's involved?
Page Q&A
Ask a question hereAny concerns?
Report this pageThank the donor
Your message will be displayed on the page and emailed to the donor.
Your new message will also be emailed to the donor.
Saving a blank entry will delete the current comment.