Success Stories

Anastasia Ivanova

Hello, everybody!

My name is Nastya Ivanova. I am 17 years old. I was born in Odessa and I lived with my mom until I was five. I don’t know why, but my mother began to drink a lot of alcohol. My old grandmother couldn’t stand it. She addressed authorities and I was placed in an orphanage.

Then, my mother was deprived of her parental rights and I was left alone. I studied at the orphanage until the 11^th grade. Now, thanks to the wonderful UAC Scholarship Program and sweet Clara Pascal, I study at the Teacher’s Training School. I am a first-year student there. I want to be an elementary school teacher.

When I was a fifth grader I began to do Thai boxing. I went to many different competitions. In 2008 I became a master of sports and in 2010 I won a championship in Thailand and became a Champion of the World. Now my dream is to be an Olympic champion in 2012 in London or in 2016 in Rio de Janeiro.

I really want to be an independent person and to help orphans as well. I wish to give joy to their little hearts. I understand that these are just dreams now, but I am emphatically trying to fulfill them. 

I want to express my thankfulness to you, Clara, for helping and supporting me during these difficult times. Your financial and moral support gives me vigor and hope for the better. I also want to thank you for your staff in Odessa. I am also grateful to everybody else who takes care of orphans. 

Thank you!

Nastya Ivanova

Alexander Enchev

Alexander Enchev was the first orphan to ever attend Odessa National Law Academy. He graduated near the top of his class. He is pictured here with his girlfriend and fellow UAC scholarship student Natasha Gavrilenko, who graduated in 2010 from Kharkov National Pharmaceutical University. 

Olga Korotyan

Olga was a former student at Orphanage #4 and Orphanage #9.  With the help of UAC's Scholarship Program, she recently completed her fifth year of college studies and defended her degree work.  Olga graduated from Odessa Academy of Food Technologies in June, 2011. 

Alexander Zhos

Alexander (Sasha) Zhos was a founding member of the UAC Orphaned Teen Scholarship Program.  In 1997, he addressed Clara Pascal about helping orphanage graduates obtain higher education and support outside of the orphanage.  In turn came the birth of the Scholarship Program!  Sasha graduated from Odessa National Maritime Academy with the assistance of the Scholarship Program.  He is now working as a 3rd class engineering seaman, travelling the world! 

“In the year 1997, Clara Pascal came to Odessa to visit us at Orphanage #4. My life story has been connected with her ever since. Clara helped me out during the first and most important stages of my adult life. She organized the Scholarship Program and it helped me enter Odessa National Maritime Academy, where I studied for six years. When I studied at the academy, Clara not only gave me financial assistance for my studies, but she also gave me the feeling that there was a person who was concerned about me. Her visits to Odessa were real holidays for everyone. 

When I graduated from Maritime Academy, I set sail as an engineer of the 3^rd class and went half way around the world. My routes have included Italy, India, America, the Panama Channel, Mexico, French Polynesia, Turkey, Russia and Ukraine.

I am very thankful to Clara and the Scholarship Program for all that help and support which was so crucial in my life!” –A. Zhos

Sasha on board the ship where he works as an engineering seaman.    

Alla Belaya

Alla was in the first class of the Scholarship Program back in 1998. She has her degree in education from the Teaching University in Odessa and she taught at the Orphanage for the Blind. Alla is now working as a UAC Scholarship Program assistant!  This is a beautiful testament to the endurance and success of our program.  Alla shares her story below:

 

Hello, my name is Alla Belaya. I was born in Odessa, Ukraine in a very unfortunate family of many children. When I turned one year old, I was sent to Orphanage # 3. My childhood and my school years were spent in the orphanages of Odessa. Ever since I was a little girl, I dreamed of being able to work with kids just like me. In 1998, I graduated from Orphanage # 4 (high school) and was accepted into the University of Physical Education and Rehabilitation due to UAC’s Scholarship Program and Clara Pascal . While studying at the university, I was blessed with an opportunity to work with kids from orphanages which was a tremendous help for my studies and my career development. Because of the Scholarship Program, I was able to put into practice my knowledge attained at the university with the kids from various orphanages and facilities such as the reception center for troubled children, Orphanage #34 (for kids with mental disabilities), orphanages #4 and #5, and Juvenile Center of Fontanka . Such practice not only helped me improve my work with children, but also led to a better awareness of children's psychology. I am very proud of being capable of influencing these kids by passing on the goodness and great values gained from personal experience.

I have been working for the UAC Scholarship Program for two years now. I am happy to provide needed attention to the kids and to be of a great help to them. I am endlessly thankful for the chance to help these kids solve some of their most difficult problems. It is more than just a job to me; It is a part of me, because I can relate to these children in every way. I am delighted to bring my share of knowledge and experience in such a noble matter. I am very grateful to the UAC program and Clara Pascal for making my childhood dream of working with children of my background come true.

Sincerely,

Alla Belaya.

 

Lera Radziyevskaya

My name is Lera Radziyevskaya and I would like to tell you my story.

My mother died when I was 14 years old. It was very hard for a young girl. Over six years I lost all my relatives. From the time I was 9 years old I kept losing one of my relatives every year. I was brought up in an unhappy and a very poor family. My parents didn’t take care of me. My mother worked at three jobs at a time. One could tell that my father was my father only by my birth certificate, where there was record of his name. It was my grandmother who brought me up. The last decade of the past century was a terrible time and my family didn’t avoid the pernicious influence of alcohol and drugs. I grew up in an atmosphere of scandals, fear and my father’s violence. Children kept mocking me because their parents forbid them from being friends with me. When my father failed, he vented his anger on my mother and me. He constantly got into frauds, and as a result, mother and I were afraid of our own shadows. Nobody touched us because everybody respected my mother. Sometimes, being alone, I dreamed that my father would disappear somewhere. He would leave home and not come back for several months being in a state of intoxication. My mother patiently withstood everything and allowed him back. When they were quarreling our apartment was in ruins.

When he died I took a long breath. I know I shouldn’t say this, but I can’t find other words.

I had been dreaming to get on my own feet since I had heard neighbors’ whispering behind my back: "Who could she ever be? She was a daughter of her parents!" It was very painful that people had stereotyped and stigmatized a child. After my grandmother’s death, our apartment was taken and my mother, sister, her two little children and I moved to a very small communal room. We didn’t complain.

A short time after moving my mother fell sick and died. My sister passed away after her. I was forced to work when I was thirteen years old. I sold flowers and tidied neighbor’s apartments when my mother was sick. When my sister fell sick, I looked after her little children. I went to school in the mornings, and in the evening I took care of her kids. After my sister’s death, the children were adopted and I haven’t seen them since.

When I arrived to the orphanage, Clara Pascal had been helping out there already. I spent four years preparing to enter Odessa Medical University. I was really scared to enter there and I asked Clara to help me. I remember that talk very well. I was asking Clara about helping with the contract study (paid education) and she asked if it was my cherished dream and I answered “yes”. Then Clara looked in my eyes, into my soul, and said she would help. I couldn’t believe it - I was so afraid to come up.…

For the first six months I studied at the paid department and then I was moved to the free program.

I am still studying at Odessa Medical University to be a doctor, but it is not my merit that got me there-- Everything is thanks to Clara as she gave me a chance and she believed in me when everybody doubted that I would be able to do it.  …

Every day I thank God that I’ve met such a wonderful person. May God guard her and all her family.

With love and great respect,

Lera

American Girl Winner!

Julia D.
Age 11, Florida

Julia’s project:
Julia made a really beautiful book that tells her life story in photos and in her own words. Julia was born in Ukraine and lived in an orphanage for six years.

She had problems with her right leg, but surgery didn’t help. After she was adopted by her American Family, she had to have her leg removed. Julia uses an artificial leg now, and her determination to be like any other American girl has helped her to learn how to dance ballet, be a cheerleader, play soccer, ice-skate and even ride a bicycle!

Judge’s comments about her project:
"Her determination shows on every page.
'She never gave up,' This girl is unstoppable!"

Julia’s favorite part of AG Magazine:
The crafts

Julia’s favorite part of the cover shoot:
Having her picture taken!

Tatia na Litvanova

  Tatiana Litvanova was abandoned at age 5 and raised in the orphanages of Odessa. With the assistance of UAC’s Orphaned Teen Scholarship Program, Tatiana is now finishing pharmaceutical school.  She shares her story in the letter below:

Hello!

I’m very glad to share my story with you.

My name is Tanya Litvanova. Probably, you know me from the first publication but if you don’t, in any case, my life has changed a lot since then.

So, I wanted to be a pediatrician and at the beginning everything was happening according to my plan. Then, I fell in love with my classmate, Dmitry, and now we are the Litvinovs family. When our son was born we named him David. He is 5 already. I had to revise my plans because I couldn’t keep attending classes daily, so I decided to move to study by correspondence, Pharmacist Specialty. And, as I saw, it was not in vain. Now, I’m finishing my fifth year and already have the chance to work as a pharmacist. I work at one of the oldest drugstores of our city, “Gayevskago & Popovskago”. I work night shifts so far. The knowledge which I gained studying in the Pediatrician Department and my medical assistant certificate help me very much in my work. I’m glad that my life is developing in the best way. I thank Clara Pascal and the Scholarship Program team for their support very much.

Thank you for being near us!

Tatiana Litvanova

Vlada Bruess

Vlada Bruess from the class of 2002 is now a successful lawyer working in Odessa.

Larissa Zaretskaya

Larissa is a class of 2011 law school graduate and TB survivor.  She exemplifies how an orphan's life can be dramatically changed when someone believes in them. 

Hello, everybody!

My name is Larissa Zaretskaya and I would like to tell you about my life. Thanks to UAC and Clara Pascal, I am healthy and educated! I thank God that I have UAC and Clara. She is very supportive of me!

When I was a teenager and studied at Kotovsk orphanage, I could only dream about studying at a university. I kept a diary then and wrote in it that I would like to study at a university, but it would not be possible: I had neither money nor enough knowledge. I worried about my future very much!

But God helps and takes care of me!

When I finished the ninth grade in Kotovsk orphanage, I was sent to an orphanage in Odessa for grades 10-11.  There I heard about Clara’s organization and how she helps orphan graduates. When I became a graduate myself, I was very glad to learn that Clara wanted to meet and talk with all of us. I remember when I met Clara the first time…I was very surprised how considerate she was to each of us! She asked me what I was interested in and where I would like to study. It was astonishing because nobody before was interested in my life and my future. Then there was a person who wanted to help me!  Thanks to Clara and the UAC Scholarship Program, I just graduated from Odessa National Maritime University, Law Department.  It was my dream, and God made it a reality! But that is not the end of my story!

When I was 17, I became extremely sick with pulmonary tuberculosis (TB). I remember my suffering:  I was so young and so sick already! I underwent two operations, and during those difficult times Clara and the UAC staff took care of me.  They paid for my treatment and supported me both morally and financially. When Ukrainian medicine didn’t help, Clara found a hospital in Russia where I was able to stay for 18 months in a specialized program for treating tuberculosis. The treatment was expensive and I never would have been able to pay for it on my own! But God is gracious and UAC sent money for my treatment every month. The TB treatment program was very effective-- Now I am healthy and have forgotten about my disease for over six years! 

I live in a communal apartment which Clara and UAC helped me rent as well. I didn’t have enough money and our dear Clara added the remaining amount.  I can write about her mercy and kind deeds for a long time because she helped me so many times and with so much!!!

From the bottom of my heart, I thank God for Clara, for her kind heart, care and trust in orphanage children like myself!

With all my heart I pray for everyone who is part of the UAC Ukraine organization because many of us—including me personally—received significant help from UAC in order to begin our adult lives!

Dear Clara, I love you very much and you will always be in my heart!!!

With gratitude,

Larissa Zaretskaya

Ilona Sukhanova

Hello everybody!

My name is Ilona Sukhanova and I`m 23 years old. My story starts before I was even born. In short, my biological father died when my mother was 6 months pregnant. When I was 2 years old, my mother met a wonderful man who became my father! Because it was hard for them to take care of me and work at the same time, I went to an orphanage where I stayed during the weekdays and returned home on the weekends. But very soon my grandmother died. She had liver cancer (she wasn`t married and she was an orphan). My father died a few years later. For my mother it was a huge shock to lose both of them and to also lose her house! She started to drink very heavily and after 2 or 3 years she passed away. She always taught me to be the best student in school. By 8th grade I spoke broken English. Then I met Dr. Vincent Rosini (a long time sponsor) and he introduced me to a family in America. After graduation I went to the USA on a student Visa for a year, but I was homesick and after 10 months I returned to Ukraine. I entered the university thanks to the UAC Scholarship Program, and this year I`ll be graduating with an economic diploma from the university. I`m very thankful to all of you who are helping us become somebody in life! And of course, a huge thanks to Clara for making all this happen! Thank you so much for doing an amazing job! God bless you!

Sincerely,
Ilona Sukhanova

Alevtina (Alya) Gnatyuk

Alya Gnatyuk graduated in 2010 with her master's degree from Odessa State Teaching University, Art Department.  She is the first student in the UAC Scholarship Program to graduate with a master's degree.  We are so proud of her! 

Victor Sukhenko

Hello!

I was born in 1987 in Odessa. I lived with my mother until 1993 but I don’t remember that period well. From 1993 to 1994 I lived with my aunt because my mother was in prison. My life was unbearable then. I was 5-6 years of age when she forced me to get up at 4-5 a.m. to sweep streets. She mocked me very often and sorely, but let’s not go into details. May God be the judge for her. From 1994 to 1998 I lived with my mother, who, unfortunately, was dependent on drugs. Life was very hard. I often left home and spent nights outdoors.

In 1995 I went to a regular secondary school. I was one of the weakest pupils. I was often hungry but I never stole food.

In 1998 my mother died from influenza and blood poisoning. She died slowly and in my presence. Most people know how hard it is to lose a loved one, but it is even harder for a ten year old boy who just started to learn about life. Mental trauma remained my whole life. When I was eleven, I lost my two grandmothers and my mother. Now, I have only a grandfather who supports me in all my undertakings.

I will digress a little bit and briefly tell about my father. I didn’t known him during my childhood. I met him when I was twenty. At that moment he was fatally ill. We communicated very seldom. He lived in the street.  I did understand that he was sorry about everything and forgave him. Looking at my eyes, he just sobbed. I helped him as much as possible, but he died because of his way of life-- Drugs, alcohol, prison. My father passed away and Clara Pascal helped me with funeral expenses. I thank her very much for helping me during this difficult time. 

In 1998 I went to Orphanage #4. It was also a very hard time. Moreover, I was with many pupils who were 14-15 years old, and I was only 11. There was a temptation to escape, steal, take drugs and not learn. That was the most difficult age period because I just began to develop into a person. Thanks to God, I got through it. A caretaker can only give a piece of advice or help a little bit, but the child has to make their own decisions. After several years I understood that studying was very important. I began to read a lot and look for different information. At the first opportunity I entered Odessa Juridical Lyceum and studied four years there. I finished it with excellent marks. While studying there, I lived in the orphanage.

In 2006 I entered Odessa National University, Economy and Law Department, Criminal Law and Criminalistics Chair. Now, I’m finishing my fourth year and getting a bachelor’s degree certificate. Next year I am going to get a specialist’s certificate.

As before, I keep reading a lot and I’m interested in many things. My interests are English, jurisprudence, technology, computers, airplanes, interior design and transportation. I like reading scientific and cognitive literature. I also like the Discovery channel and so on.

My personal features: I don’t smoke or drink alcohol, even seldomly or with company. I value when people are educated. I like interesting people and sufficiently evaluate myself and my capabilities. I am industrious, polite, disciplined, responsible, accurate, honest, without bad habits, and modest, of course . 

I dream to live or study abroad and to achieve a good quality of life. I want to live in a country with opportunities. I went to the USA three times and lived in Maryland. Therefore, I know about the States and Americans, not just from movies.

In general, I’m pleased with my life because I have a head on my shoulders, two hands and two legs. The rest depends on my desires and aspirations.

I think that being a good person is a way of life. One never has to take extreme measures to achieve goals, but always has to stay honorable and decent. My favorite expression is “Treat others as you would want to be treated.” 

I started in the Scholarship Program a bit earlier than other children because I lived in the orphanage while I was a pupil of the Juridical Lyceum. This lasted for two years when I was in high school. Clara really became a very dear person to me.

The UAC Scholarship Program is not only $50 a month; It is much more! We feel that we are not alone and that there are people who are not indifferent to us. This cannot be translated into money! UAC gives us a feeling of care. Clara solves any major problems that the students may have. Take health, for example. All my teeth are healthy now. When the ceiling in my kitchen collapsed, Clara helped with it, too. When I wanted to bury my father, whoever he was, I didn’t have money and Clara helped me. He was buried as an ordinary man and not in a cellophane package with an unknown tombstone. UAC organization helped me very much with legal problems as well. There are people (staff) in the program I can share my emotional experiences with and ask for advice. Who can one speak with if he is alone in the world? It is very important, and I appreciate that the Scholarship Program gives us people who can and want to listen. 

It is my last year in the UAC Scholarship Program. I am very glad that I was a participant and I’m grateful to every person who takes part in developing and supporting the program. Despite the financial crisis in America, we always have help in time. Thank you, sponsors. Thank you, dear Clara. I extremely love you! I like when you come and we can talk.

Thank you for never denying any request. Thank you for your care. Thank you that we have you. Thank you for creating this program!

Victor Sukhenko.

Larissa Batolava

Scholarship student Larissa Batolava is one of many examples of what students can accomplish through UAC's Orphaned Teen Scholarship Program. In 2009, Larissa graduated from the Art Department of Odessa Teaching University, and afterward she received her Certificate of Interior Design.  Larissa is now working as a designer at a private firm.

A legal success story

UAC lawyer Tatiana Taraschanskya (left) routinely defends orphans' legal rights.  In May 2010, she finished and won a 6 year long housing rights case on behalf of an orphan named Anna Kovaleva.  Anna's apartment had been sold illegally in a corrupt scheme by district officials.  Tatiana worked for 6 long years to restore Anna's rights to an apartment.  During that time, she won two cases in district court and one case in the adminstrative court of appeals.  This last (and final) win was a huge success for Tatiana, Anna and all orphans!