For years, Ukraine and Russia have been in conflict, beginning with the outbreak of the Russo-Ukrainian war in 2014.
But, in early 2022, following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the war erupted into the largest European conflict since World War II. Since then, hundreds of thousands of civilians and military personal have perished and millions of Ukrainians have fled their homes, leaving behind their familiar lives and loved ones.
While the ongoing conflict has affected every Ukrainian, children face unique challenges, particularly in their education.
Sudden displacement has made education difficult during a time when it is essential to children’s development. Facing language barriers and disrupted schooling, Ukrainian children have also suffered immense emotional pressure due to the separation from their communities.
Inspired by the global outpouring of support for Ukraine, Kate Khvorostiana ‘25, a Ukrainian- American, took action. Collaborating with other Ukrainian RE students in 2022, together they created Bridging Borders for Ukraine (BBFU), a nonprofit, student-led organization that aims to support young Ukrainian students by helping them adjust to life in new countries through free English tutoring.
BBFU began as a simple idea rooted in Khvorostiana’s own experiences. She moved to the United States nine years ago and struggled to adapt to a new culture and language. “When I moved here, I knew grammar but struggled with conversational English,” she explained. “It was hard to use my knowledge in real-life situations.”
Inspired by her challenges, Khvorostiana saw an opportunity to help young Ukrainians facing similar obstacles. With the support of her friends Mario Antonaccio ‘25, Vlad Ponomarenko ‘25, and Micheal Mederos ‘25, BBFU was born.
The organization provides expansive English tutoring, from teaching fundamental grammar skills to practicing conversational skills, to prepare their students for success. As Khvorostiana explained, “English is a global language, and by helping these students gain confidence in their communication skills, we’re giving them a tool to connect, share their stories, and build new communities.” This approach aims to help students maintain their Ukrainian identity while adapting to their new lives.
BBFU’s tutoring sessions are held weekly, early on Monday mornings, to accommodate time differences between the U.S. and Ukraine. Volunteers prepare lesson plans over the weekend, often collaborating with English teachers at the students’ school in Lviv. The sessions encourage students to practice speaking English and listening in a supportive environment, fostering skills BBFU founders hope students will use in real world to seek further education, immigration, as support in case of unpredicted displacement.
Ponomarenko, a BBFU team member and tutor, reflected on how these sessions impact him. “It’s encouraging to see a student become comfortable and confident in their ability to speak English. It reconnects me with my heritage while providing something valuable to kids who otherwise get little English exposure,” he said.
Beyond language tutoring, BBFU has raised over $4,000 to support educational needs in Ukraine. The funds will be used to help rebuild a school in Kharkiv, which was destroyed by missile strikes. This school, which serves hundreds of students, urgently needs resources such as laptops and books to continue operating amidst the conflict.
Antonaccio, another vital member of the BBFU team, has been heavily involved in fundraising and spearheads many of these efforts. “Over the summer, we handed out fliers at my dad’s workshops and my local church, and we also just handed them out to people. We tried our hardest to get donations,” Mario said.
For Khvorostiana, BBFU is more personal, allowing her to reconnect with her roots. “Growing up, I didn’t realize how big of a part of my identity being Ukrainian was,” she shared. “I used to feel it was too much of a hassle to explain, but through BBFU, I’ve learned how proud I am of my heritage and how meaningful it is to share that with others.”
This connection extends to Kate’s family as well. Her mother, Irina Khvorostiana, spoke of the joy her parents feel seeing Kate work with her former classmates in Ukraine. “My parents live in the same building where we used to live, and they often see Kate’s old classmates who are part of the BBFU program. It’s heartwarming to know they’re still connected in such a meaningful way,” Irina said. “This project has bridged the gap not just for Kate but for our entire family.”
As the BBFU founders prepare for college, they are focused on ensuring the organization’s longevity. “We want to expand BBFU within our school community so that younger students can carry it on,” Kate said. “We’re hoping to pass it on to those who are passionate about service and community building.”
