“I didn’t give up after a few setbacks — and now I run my own business” – Tetiana, a teacher from the Luhansk region

Tetiana is originally from the Luhansk region, but because of the war she relocated to Poltava, where she is raising her son on her own. She holds two university degrees and has 21 years of experience as a teacher.

“The war has forced many of us to rethink our priorities and recognise the value of freedom and dignity. Despite all the tragedy and horror, we cannot put life on hold. We must keep working and contribute with what we can do well,” she says — and these thoughts sparked the dream of starting her own small business.

The first steps were far from easy: training in grant writing, several applications — and not a single success. It was painful, but she had no intention of giving up. Then an opportunity came her way: she learned about the “Reboot: Expanding Employment Opportunities” programme, implemented by the Ukrainian Red Cross with support from the Spanish Red Cross. After completing the training, Tetiana told herself, “I’ll try again and apply once more,” and this time she received a micro-grant — a sign that all her efforts had been worthwhile.

Today, Tetiana has launched her own business and set up a classroom where she teaches English to children and adults, helping them regain their footing and build confidence. She believes that learning languages opens doors to the world — just as this new chapter has opened for her.