NEWS AND VIEWS: Association of Ukrainian educators makes strides (06/14/98)

NEWS AND VIEWS: Association of Ukrainian educators makes strides

by Dzvinka T. Hayda

A child who is healthy in mind and spirit will create a healthy society, which in turn creates a healthy country. This has long been denied the children of Ukraine. Now that Ukraine has won its freedom, children have the possibility to learn in their native Ukrainian language all subjects that are relevant to step into the world arena. Unfortunately, this is not the case in most schools in Ukraine. Yet, great strides are being made, such as the opening of the first all-Ukrainian school in Alupka, Crimea. Much praise goes to the initiators, especially Ivanna Hradytska, who under great hardships were able to accomplish this commendable task.

Last summer the Ukrainian World Association of Professional Educators (UWAPE) held its fifth convention in the Teachers' Building in Kyiv. Participants came from Ukraine, Poland, Bashkartostan, Russia, Lithuania, Romania, Moldova, Slovakia, Kazakstan, Autonomous Tumen, Kuban, Brazil, Hungary, France, Canada, the United States and Australia. There were many speakers on various subjects, all with a focus on how to help Ukrainian children of the world receive the best possible education to help them enter the 21st century. The motto of the conference was: "Learn, Teach and Educate."

Under the auspices of UWAPE, the Association for Promoting the Ukrainian Language (APUL) held its first world gathering for children at the same time in Kyiv. This youth group has worldwide chapters who meet with the purpose of encouraging children to speak in the Ukrainian language. There were over 100 children who attended, some of whom came from as far as Kazakstan. During their one-week stay in Kyiv, the children were chaperoned by teachers for a full program of events, one of which was a two-hour meeting with the mayor of Kyiv, Oleksander Omelchenko. At this meeting with the APUL children and teachers, Mr. Omelchenko announced a decree that at the beginning of the 1998 school year all first graders in Kyiv will be instructed in the Ukrainian language.

Zynowij Kwit is the founder and president of the UWAPE Association, now in existence for 17 years. Mr. Kwit is a chemistry and language teacher in the Philadelphia public school system, holds two master's degrees and is a Ph.D. candidate. Mr. Kwit's commitment and efforts are geared towards the well-being of Ukrainian children, and his total dedication is remarkable.

The association now boasts a membership close to 3,000 worldwide. One of the project that was spearheaded by Mr. Kwit is the Adopt-a-School Project. Each Canadian and American chapter adopts a school in Ukraine, and sends much-needed supplies to their designated school. The teachers of Ukraine have such limited resources that it has become very difficult to carry on daily, routine lessons. With this aid children receive pencils, erasers, crayons, tablets, chalk, writing and construction paper, glue as well as other necessary supplies. As their letters indicate, the gratitude on the part of the recipients in Ukraine is immense.

There are many schools that do not have a sponsoring chapter, yet their needs are just as urgent, with children being short-changed on a daily basis. The children cannot wait. They are the future of Ukraine and should be privy to the best education possible. Teachers purchase supplies with their own funds, but since they have not been receiving their salaries for six months or more, it has become impossible for them to continue to provide the needed items.

Teacher-to-teacher correspondence also has been implemented. Ukrainian teachers worldwide share their ideas and concerns with each other. This has been most rewarding for all those who participate, for sharing widens a teacher's knowledge and scope.

Through the initiative of the UWAPE, Ukrainian children also correspond with each other. Their letters are heartwarming, as they find similarities among themselves. In this way the children in North America and other countries improve their Ukrainian writing skills.

One of the greatest needs in Ukrainian schools is Ukrainian primers. There is an effort to have these printed, but again, lack of funding prevents this from going forward. School libraries are asking for Ukrainian books so that students can do research as well as read Ukrainian classics. Without Ukrainian books and without supplies, Ukrainian schools border on third-world country status. There is an ongoing gathering of Ukrainian books to be sent to these school libraries, so if anyone in the reading audience has Ukrainian books to contribute, they are asked to contact the UWAPE at one of the numbers below.

The Ukrainian World Association of Professional Educators is announcing a drive to increase membership in the United States and Canada. With more chapters, more aid could be offered to schools in Ukraine. If you are a teacher of Ukrainian descent, in any subject or discipline, an invitation is extended to you to join the UWAPE by writing to Zynowij Kwit at: 804 N. Woodstock St., Philadelphia, PA 19130; telephone, (215) 769-0889; or Dzvinka Nykorak Hayda at: 2582 Otter, Warren, MI 48092; fax, (810) 268-4768; telephone, (810) 268-4729; e-mail, [email protected]

The third North American Ukrainian teachers' conference is going to take place in Toronto on July 4-5. We invite all teachers to take part in this conference. There will be many speakers on subjects of interest, and all teachers are invited to take part in the planning of future endeavors to help Ukrainian children throughout the world. The sixth World Convention of Ukrainian Teachers, as well as the second APUL convention will take place in Kyiv in 1999. If anyone should have an interest to speak on an educational subject at this conference, please contact the organization at the above numbers.

Teachers have a great impact on children's future. With a united teachers' association the possibilities are endless. So please join this rewarding work of sharing your knowledge and talents with others of the teaching profession, and, in turn, helping a Ukrainian child.