Results of the year 2022

Results of the year 2022

Although the beginning of 2022 was filled with uncertainty, we were determined to continue our mission of developing young people through our My First Scholarship program. In January, we successfully completed our XI selection and chose 21 talented teenagers. However, the full-scale invasion that followed in February forced us to shift our focus entirely. We quickly pivoted and began arranging the logistics of delivering humanitarian aid from Poland to Ukraine.

In the midst of this chaos, we also had to put the academic season for our scholarship holders on hold. But we remained in constant communication with them through our chat room, holding meetings with psychologist Iryna Yatsiv to provide emotional support, and regularly checking in with each other. We were determined to continue supporting our scholarship holders and ensure that they felt connected and cared for during these trying times.

We also focused our efforts on supporting the Ukrainian Armed Forces and Ukrainian civilians in need. You can learn more about our efforts on our website: http://karpinskyy.foundation/news/nashi_diyi_pislya_24_lyutoho_2022_roku/.

Despite the challenges we faced, we remain committed to our mission of developing young people and supporting the Ukrainian community. We are proud to have played a small part in this new chapter of Ukrainian history and look forward to a brighter future for all.

During those difficult times, the companies of the Ekran Group shifted their production to make anti-tank hedgehogs. Meanwhile, the foundation’s founders stepped up to support the Armed Forces of Ukraine, local volunteers, and mass gatherings. They played an active role in opening humanitarian and logistics hubs, where hundreds of volunteers worked tirelessly to deliver tens of tons of aid to various destinations. The foundation also provided crucial support by purchasing uniforms for the Stryi TRO, tablets for the SSO, and other essential items. Their contributions made a significant difference in the lives of those affected by the war.

We are excited to announce that in the summer, we resumed training for our scholarship holders, starting with a course on sports memorization by Gordiy Ostapovych. Gordiy is a record holder of the National Register of Records as the fastest person in Ukraine to memorize a shuffled deck of 52 cards. He regularly represents Ukraine at world championships in sports memory, and we are thrilled to have him as a part of our team to help develop the talents of our scholarship recipients. At our foundation, we believe in providing unique and diverse opportunities for our young people to grow and reach their full potential.

 We also continued to extend our support to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. In the summer, we procured three fully-equipped ambulances, an off-road vehicle, and other essential equipment. Additionally, we supported fundraisers both financially and by raising awareness. For instance, when there was a fundraiser to purchase a car for the Armed Forces, Zenoviy, the son of Maria and Myroslav Karpinsky, recorded a small concert and collected donations.

On September 7, we celebrated the XI award ceremony of the My First Scholarship program and kicked off a full academic season. This year’s ceremony was especially meaningful as we thought about the needs and wants of our teenagers during these challenging times. Despite the ongoing air raids alarms, our scholarship recipients persevered and demonstrated their commitment to their education. We are incredibly proud of their hard work and dedication. We also want to acknowledge our teachers, Iryna Yatsiv and Mariana Vasylchenko, for their unwavering support and outstanding instruction.

In late September, our scholarship holders had the opportunity to have a friendly conversation with Serhiy Prytula. During the meeting, the teenagers listened attentively, asked questions, took notes, and left feeling motivated. The experience of interacting with Serhiy was truly unique for our scholarship holders. “Let you be interested in everything,” were the words of encouragement they received from Serhiy. “Show that you are ready to take responsibility and assume it.”

Inspired by the meeting, our scholarship holders decided to support the Prytula Foundation. Harun Roksolana organized a fundraiser, and our teenagers raised 8,050 UAH. Additionally, Shepitchak Ulyana put up her painting for auction and donated 2,600 UAH. The Karpinski Foundation matched these donations, which resulted in a total of 21,700 UAH transferred to the Prytula Foundation.

Despite the challenges of air raids alarms and power outages, the Karpinski Foundation team and scholarship holders persisted in their preparations for the Festival of Public Speaking among teenagers. Our scholarship recipients devoted themselves to developing the crucial skill of public speaking, while our teachers honed their own speeches. Meanwhile, we worked tirelessly to invite guests and ensure the event was as seamless as possible.

Through our experiences, we have learned to balance seemingly incompatible responsibilities, from navigating the realities of war and civilian life to juggling our commitments to both volunteering and paid work, to supporting both our scholarship holders and the military. We understand the importance of allocating resources wisely to have enough energy and resources to meet all our needs.

On September 6, we hosted the Seventh Festival of Public Speaking among teenagers. Despite the challenges of living amidst conflict and stress, we were amazed by the courage and resilience of our scholarship holders, who delivered inspiring and insightful speeches to an audience of 100 people. The event was filled with an abundance of emotions, support, and a warm atmosphere that made it feel like one big family had gathered in the hall. The competition was tough, and our scholarship holders impressed all the jury members with their exceptional performances. This event was a much-needed reminder of the importance of coming together and celebrating our shared humanity, especially in challenging times like these.

And as tradition dictates, this year we partnered with Kristina Bereznyanska to bring you the Fairy Tale Time. However, with Christmas approaching, we are aware that many people are facing difficult circumstances. So this charity event served two purposes: it gave children an unforgettable fairy-tale experience, and the funds raised were sent to those who are lonely and in need during the Christmas holidays. By participating in this event, you not only created magical memories for children but also helped to spread kindness and love to those who need it most during this festive season.

And in 2023, we are excited to announce that we will be opening a new cohort of fellows. As we reflect on this past year, we recognize that it has been a challenging time for everyone. There have been moments of sorrow, tears, and uncertainty, but there has also been a resilience and hope that has carried us through. Throughout the year, we remained steadfast in our commitment to serving those in need and doing our part to make a difference.

We look forward to the new year with optimism and a renewed sense of purpose. While we know that life will never be the same as it was before February 24, we have also come to appreciate the simple things in life that we may have once taken for granted. We believe that the future holds great promise for Ukraine, and we are committed to continuing our work to empower and support the next generation of leaders who will help shape it.