My name is Tetiana Balym. I am a Ukrainian, a teacher, and a refugee. Arriving in Poland on March 10, 2022, it took me exactly 3 days to calm down, take a breath, and start thinking about what I could do for Ukraine here in Poland.
I didn’t search for long, as there was also distance learning in Ukraine, and leaving my children behind was simply not an option. They needed both support and a regular school routine.
Later, I found an announcement about the opening of a school for Ukrainian children who arrived in Warsaw, and who, just like me, needed communication, support, and smiles. That’s how my work at the Ukrainian School in Warsaw began. A school where 100% of the staff and students are refugees. The most challenging part was going to class after bombs were dropped on your city. You read the news, you cry, you wipe away the tears, and then you go to the children. Because they read the news too. And they worry too. Parents brought them to safety, but to a new environment: there are no friends, no relatives here. And as a teacher, you must become their support, create a place where they feel comfortable.
Every day I see progress among my students – and that motivates me to keep working. After all, children are the future of the world.
Every day I see progress among my students – and that motivates me to keep working. After all, children are the future of the world. Thanks to DigiKids, I was able to become a robotics teacher. And now I can broaden my horizons.
My involvement with the DigiKids program was a turning point. Learning about robotics and passing that knowledge on to my students brought a new dimension to my teaching. Through robotics, my students and I discovered a world of innovation and creativity. I realized that even in a foreign land, we could build bridges to new opportunities.
My journey is one of resilience, empathy, and learning. As a teacher, I am driven by the belief that education can heal wounds and shape futures. My story is a testament to the strength we find in each other, the power of knowledge to transform lives, and the hope that guides us through even the most challenging times.”
