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Main Project Goal:
The main goal of this project is to provide gifted and talented orphan children and children who
have struggled through a life marred by hardship and tragedy, without the love or support of parents or guardians, the opportunity to pursue a post-secondary education. This project aims to stimulate an interest in post-secondary education among orphans and children who have been schooled in inadequate settings. It allows children to be integrated into larger social settings, and may even initiate mental and psychological growth, which has otherwise been hindered by the lonely orphanage life. This project gives hope to children who dream of becoming successful professionals, but cannot rely upon the insufficient and often delayed social aid provided by Ukraine's government.
We will work with "Help Us Help The Children" (HUHTC) in Kyiv on this project, as they have the
expertise and existing program (Stipendiat) that has been functioning successfully since 1998. All donations received through the UOCFP Scholarship Fund will go directly to the HUHTC Stipendiat Program.
What is involved in running this program?
A full support staff is needed. HUHTC has a project manager, project coordinator, an
accountant and psychologist on their staff to support this program. It makes sense for us to support the HUHTC program, as it has everything already established and in place.
The Stipendiat project plans to present a "stipend" to a gifted and talented child/orphan who is
currently or will be studying at a post-secondary institution.
Where exactly does my money go?
Your contribution goes to the UOCFP Scholarship program. The program will sponsor as many
children in post-secondary education as possible. The scholarship consists of a "stipend". The actual education (tuition) that can lead to a degree is free for an orphan from the Ukrainian government, as long as it is in a state run institution. But what is not supported by the government are the students living expenses; things like housing, food, clothes and shoes, plus textbooks, school supplies and medical costs like Doctor, Dentist or Optometrist visits. It also covers any prescriptions or eyeglasses if needed.
What is the cost?
$1,000.00 per student per year. This "stipend" will cover the costs above, plus other necessary
expenses; HUHTC administration (support staff) and psychologist. It will also cover 3 mandatory meetings in Kyiv to evaluate the student's progress and any problems that they may have. Our goal: If we raise ten thousand dollars, 10 students will be awarded a stipend from our UOCFP SCHOLARSHIP FUND.
What are some of the schools?
1. Kyiv-Mohyla Institute
2. Kyiv Polytechnic University
3. The National Academy of Tax Service of Ukraine
4. Kharkiv Management University
5. Crimean Institute of Economics
6. Berdjans'k Governmental Pedagogical Institute
7. The National Agrarian University
8. International Academy of Personnel Management
9. National Academy of Internal Affairs of Ukraine
For the 2003/2004 school year, out of 105 applicants, 47 have received this stipend, and 58
others are still waiting for this financial aid. HUHTC estimates that there will be a 10% increase for 2004/2005 school year.
How are students selected?
Publicity for this project is carried out during the HUHTC Summer Camps, as well as during the
humanitarian aid visits to each orphanage. Also many current recipients pass on this information via word of mouth. Currently, 105 students have applied for a stipend from the HUHTC Fund.
Note: Children from the orphanages encounter difficulties with social adaptation and social
integration. This problem is magnified when children (orphans) complete their term at the orphanage or Boarding School, and are left to fend for themselves. As a result, many of these kids who take it upon themselves to reach a post-secondary education often end up dropping out of College or University. Most others do not even attempt to pursue a higher education due to financial impossibilities.
How is the project monitored and supported?
1. Inquiries regarding the student's achievements, as well as progress reports and report cards
will provide adequate information for the analysis of the level of success of the project.
2. Meetings at the HUHTC Office in Kyiv (3 times a year, plus 1 time at summer camp).
3. The student's psychological state, as well as an account of his/her behavior in social
settings according to a psychologist or a social worker during individual and group sessions.
How do you measure success of the project?
1. First step: results of each session with the student.
2. Second step: training results obtained during the stay at the HUHTC Summer Camp.
3. Third step: exam results from the education institution.
4. Fourth step: psychological analysis.
5. Fifth step: results from the meetings held in Kyiv with all students.
In a nutshell, the students that are selected to receive the stipend are usually first selected
from the group that attends the HUHTC Summer Camp. The orphans that attend camp are already the most gifted, talented and socially interactive children in the orphanages and boarding schools. This assures that the orphan will fit in at the institution, is serious about studying, will not drop out, and is worthy of the financial aid provided by our scholarship fund.
Every $1,000.00 raised will support one student for a one-year semester. The fund drive
commences January 1, 2004 and will run through to September 30th, 2004. ALL funds raised through the UOCFP Scholarship Fund will be given to the HUHTC Stipendiat project for the support of these children who truly want to become something and to have a profession and the possibility for a real future. We will run this fund drive annually. |