Thank you for visiting this page.

Hello, my name is Khrystyna. I am starting this page for my daughter, Melana, to help her fulfill a dream she has worked toward since the day we arrived in Canada in 2022: to become an architect.

As a family, we are working hard, but this mountain is too high to climb alone. Below, I’ve asked Melana to share her own story with you. Thank you for believing in her as much as I do.

Melana:

“Leaving Ukraine meant leaving behind my school, my friends, and the future I had imagined for myself since I was a little girl. Moving to Canada was an emotional roller coaster, but it taught me a lesson I’ll never forget: a home isn’t just a place you're born into—it’s something you build.

I feel so lucky to have my family here with me. People say you only have one home, but I’ve learned you can have two. For me, Canada has truly become that second home.

That realization is exactly why I fell in love with Architecture. To me, it’s the perfect bridge between my creative side and my love for logic. It’s the art of designing spaces that can preserve culture, history, and the memory of people who once existed in this world. Most importantly, architecture creates spaces that people can call home, not a house. After so many late nights of self-study, building my portfolio, and learning to express my ideas in a new language, I am so proud that the hard work is starting to pay off.

Where am I now?

I have already received four university offers, including one from the University of Toronto. Right now, I’m focused on finishing my final year of high school here in Canada and spending every spare moment sketching and refining my skills, so I’m ready for the challenge of first year.

While my family and I are working hard to establish ourselves here, the financial cost of a high-level university education is a significant barrier. We are starting from scratch, and as a newcomer, I am seeking support to cover tuition and the specialized supplies required for my degree.”