Help me create a chance for a better tomorrow
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Hi!
I am Olenka, and I am Ukrainian.
Seven years ago, my life changed. For the first time ever, I discovered the world of new, truly exciting opportunities that were opened to me because of the help of the Chernobyl Children’s Lifeline Charity (CCLL). 2012 was the first time I visited the UK. It was truly extraordinary. As a young adult, I appreciated every single moment of the four-week-long recuperative care I was provided. This was how I met my host family and my greatest supporters – Thomas and Chrissi Kelly. With the help of the charity and with the support of Thomas and Chrissi, I figured out my new interests, abilities and passions. It was through patience and hard work that I got into Bishopstrow College which is where I flourished as a person and as a student.
Unfortunately, financial hardship has always been the greatest obstacle on my way. Looking for bursaries, scholarships and possible financial support I could receive here, in the UK, is something that has become a part of my life. It never occurred to me that my appetite for education could be challenged by my background and nationality. This is why I felt like I was the luckiest person in the world when I received a 100% bursary to study at Cheltenham Ladies’ College under the Beale Award in 2017.
So, this is where I am today. Having done two years at Cheltenham Ladies’ College, I have become a whole new person. A strong, dedicated and resilient woman who wants to make a difference, who wants to make change. One of my biggest aspirations is to break the corrupted system of government I have been a witness of for so many years back home. I want to give people like me a solid hope for a better tomorrow, and the best way to make this happen is through education and experience that I can gain from a country like the UK.
Last year I applied to a number of universities, of which Durham and Manchester became my favourites. As an overseas student, there is little support available for people like me, which is why I decided to start this campaign. My target is a degree in Politics and International Relations, which I know will help me accomplish the goals that I have set for myself. All I want is for people to believe in me just as much as Bishopstrow and Cheltenham Ladies’ College did, just as much as Chernobyl Children’s Lifeline and Chrissi and Thomas did. I was able to raise funds for the first year of the course I intend to study, and am currently fundraising for the next two years. Any additional funds that I raise will go directly to the Chernobyl Children's Lifeline charity ( http://www.ccll.org.uk/ho/) . I would appreciate any donation, comment or advice you can give to help me. Thank you so much for the time that you took to look at my campaign.
My life journey has definitely been a lucky one. That one visit to the UK in 2012 with the help of CCLL became the chance I would never want to waste. And today, when I am so close to what and who I want to become, I am not planning to give up.
I am Olenka, and I am Ukrainian.
Seven years ago, my life changed. For the first time ever, I discovered the world of new, truly exciting opportunities that were opened to me because of the help of the Chernobyl Children’s Lifeline Charity (CCLL). 2012 was the first time I visited the UK. It was truly extraordinary. As a young adult, I appreciated every single moment of the four-week-long recuperative care I was provided. This was how I met my host family and my greatest supporters – Thomas and Chrissi Kelly. With the help of the charity and with the support of Thomas and Chrissi, I figured out my new interests, abilities and passions. It was through patience and hard work that I got into Bishopstrow College which is where I flourished as a person and as a student.
Unfortunately, financial hardship has always been the greatest obstacle on my way. Looking for bursaries, scholarships and possible financial support I could receive here, in the UK, is something that has become a part of my life. It never occurred to me that my appetite for education could be challenged by my background and nationality. This is why I felt like I was the luckiest person in the world when I received a 100% bursary to study at Cheltenham Ladies’ College under the Beale Award in 2017.
So, this is where I am today. Having done two years at Cheltenham Ladies’ College, I have become a whole new person. A strong, dedicated and resilient woman who wants to make a difference, who wants to make change. One of my biggest aspirations is to break the corrupted system of government I have been a witness of for so many years back home. I want to give people like me a solid hope for a better tomorrow, and the best way to make this happen is through education and experience that I can gain from a country like the UK.
Last year I applied to a number of universities, of which Durham and Manchester became my favourites. As an overseas student, there is little support available for people like me, which is why I decided to start this campaign. My target is a degree in Politics and International Relations, which I know will help me accomplish the goals that I have set for myself. All I want is for people to believe in me just as much as Bishopstrow and Cheltenham Ladies’ College did, just as much as Chernobyl Children’s Lifeline and Chrissi and Thomas did. I was able to raise funds for the first year of the course I intend to study, and am currently fundraising for the next two years. Any additional funds that I raise will go directly to the Chernobyl Children's Lifeline charity ( http://www.ccll.org.uk/ho/) . I would appreciate any donation, comment or advice you can give to help me. Thank you so much for the time that you took to look at my campaign.
My life journey has definitely been a lucky one. That one visit to the UK in 2012 with the help of CCLL became the chance I would never want to waste. And today, when I am so close to what and who I want to become, I am not planning to give up.
Organizer and beneficiary
Olenka Bordakova
Organizer
Chris Kelly
Beneficiary
