“I designed lessons for one of my mentees based on his favorite video game. He’s obsessed with Darth Vader, so I adapted an entire series of lessons around Star Wars to spark his interest. We studied spelling together with Darth Vader, and it became much easier for him. I think that’s because he knew: this wouldn’t be like a regular class — it would be something more fun. We learned through play, and if he made a mistake during the task, he knew no one would scold him. Mistakes are okay — just try again.”
It’s absolutely possible to grow by helping others grow — that’s what the StudMentor intellectual volunteering program is all about.
The Teach for Ukraine NGO and the UNICEF Representation in Ukraine invite young people to become mentors for schoolchildren. It’s an opportunity to gain skills useful for both professional development and everyday life. Participants learn how to communicate effectively in teams, plan, reflect, provide constructive feedback, and develop management skills. After completing the training, and under the guidance of program specialists, young women try themselves out in the role of mentors for schoolchildren.
The program also has a social mission: to help children from frontline regions catch up on school subjects. New recruitment rounds begin approximately every month.
And in a piece for DIVOCHE.MEDIA, StudMentor volunteers share what their sessions look like in practice.
