Myself and students from School #4 in Horishni Plavni, celebrating "International Day of Peace" on September 21.
Greetings to all from the Ukrainian-Slovakian frontier! Following those unforgettable months I spent as a Rotary Peace Fellow at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, I spent several weeks in Jordan and Lebanon. My research at Chula focused on post-conflict recovery and schooling for Syrian children and I am currently seeking an opportunity to continue working in that area.
In preparation to work with youngsters whose first language is not English, I spent a month in the Czech Republic reinstating my qualifications. I then signed up with the Ukrainian NGO “Go Global” as a volunteer and spent several weeks at School #4 in Horishni Plavni, a small industrial city in the heart of Ukraine. As a peace-building initiative, Go Global’s programming encourages young people to view the world more broadly through intercultural dialogue and creative problem-solving activities. Given that Ukraine has been in a state of conflict with Russia since 2014, outreach to young people affected by this crisis is indeed critical. Working with Grades 3 to 11, my presence in School #4 was for many children their first time interacting with a native English speaker. One “game” involved their presenting “fun facts” about Canada; I was indeed in awe, learning from them! Billeted with a local family and interviewed by local media, this remarkable experience marked my first time to live and work in Ukraine. For those interested in this short-term volunteer opportunity for 2019, please see goglobal.com.ua/en
Following my time with Go Global and a quick visit to Kiev, I then traveled south to Odessa to meet up with Ukraine’s first and only Rotary Peace Fellow from 2010, Dr. Hanna Shelest. Hanna is currently the Editor-in-chief at “UA:Ukraine Analytica” and board member of the Foreign Policy Council “Ukrainian Prism.” How lovely it was to share and exchange our personal memories as Rotary Peace Fellows! After a quick visit to Lviv in western Ukraine, I then visited with the Kibitkin family in Ternopil for two days as a member of “Servas.” Founded in 1949 to promote peace, global understanding and cultural exchange, “Servas” is a global networking organization of hosts and travelers. Blessed as I was for yet another glimpse into the Ukrainian everyday, as the largest country in Europe this country celebrates a richness of land and culture. I have plans to visit once again in the spring.
Myself with the Kibitkin family, in Ternopil
Now en route back to the Czech Republic, I volunteer next in Romania and, following this, I will make my way to Turkey to help out with Syrian refugees over the Christmas holidays. I look forward to sharing more stories in the upcoming months!
Yours in peace,
Joanne Elvy (Peace Fellow, Class 24)