A New Start for a Ukrainian Educator and His Family

Hello, my name is Volodymyr. I am a Ukrainian university lecturer, researcher and educator currently living in Tbilisi, Georgia, with my family.

The war in Ukraine forced us to leave our home and rebuild our lives in another country. Throughout this difficult period, I have continued teaching remotely at my Ukrainian university. Here in Georgia, I also support Ukrainian children displaced by the war, helping them maintain access to education, receive learning support and adapt to life in a new country.

Although I have continued working, the cost of living in Georgia—particularly rent, utilities and basic necessities—has been far higher than our household income can sustainably cover. During our five years here, I was forced to take several loans simply to keep my family afloat. This money was not spent on luxuries or non-essential purchases. It was used to cover ordinary living expenses during difficult periods.

Over time, interest turned these loans into a serious financial burden. After paying our rent, utilities and buying a modest amount of basic food, almost everything remaining from my salary and occasional income from research projects goes towards loan interest. I continue to work, but I can no longer escape this debt cycle on my own.

The amount required to repay all our outstanding debts is approximately €8,000. The campaign target is €9,000 because platform, payment and currency-conversion fees will be deducted from the collected amount. The funds raised will be used to repay the debts and cover these fees.

Clearing these debts would not mean a life of comfort or luxury. It would mean that my salary could once again support my family’s basic needs instead of disappearing into interest payments every month. It would give us an opportunity to regain stability and continue our lives without the constant fear of the next repayment.

Asking for financial help is extremely difficult for me. I have spent much of my professional life teaching, supporting students and helping Ukrainian children and families. Today, however, I must honestly admit that I cannot overcome this situation alone.

Any contribution, no matter how small, would bring us closer to a stable and debt-free life. If you are unable to donate, sharing this fundraiser would also be a meaningful form of support.

Thank you for reading our story and for treating this request with kindness and understanding.

For transparency, my identity, academic background and work with Ukrainian children in Georgia can be independently verified through these public sources:

• Official profile at Ushynsky University:
https://pdpu.edu.ua/kafedra-prykladnoyi-matematyky-ta-inf/

• ORCID researcher profile:
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6176-1899

• World Vision International story about my work supporting Ukrainian children displaced by the war in Georgia:
https://www.wvi.org/stories/georgia/learning-activities-help-restore-stolen-childhood-ukrainian-children-who-fled