Illya 20, Ukraine
Basic need(s):
Education
Project:
Community ACTion Ukrainian Style (CACTUS)
Like most teenagers, Illya grew up with a sense of excitement. The issue came when the activities that used to thrill and exhilarate him began growing boring and repetitive. “I wanted to try something new…to get more sense in my life.” He began networking through friends and through them, he discovered an inspirational group of peers who were already involved in various activities benefiting the population. For his part, Illya founded and coordinated his program, “Community ACTion Ukrainian Style,” (CACTUS) a ten day seminar devoted to engaging the youth in civic society development and volunteerism by promoting creativity, free-thinking and debates as well as providing training and the basic means to accomplish their own projects. 60 teenagers attended the inaugural event last summer and he is already preparing for this summer’s experience which will have at least 80 participants. Moreover, in helping others, Illya has finally found the exact spark he was looking for. “I really enjoy spending time doing something useful. I love to see the change happen and I feel that it benefits both the community and me as a person. I can’t imagine not doing this!”
