When educators speak of transformational experiences, few stories resonate like that of Oksana Potelchak, a teacher at the German-Scandinavian School in Berlin. Two weeks after her students’ final project presentation in the Ukraine Youth Action Network (UYAN),
Oksana Potelchak, educator at the German-Scandinavian School in Berlin, reflects on her students’ experience in the Ukraine Youth Action Network (UYAN), a program by MapWorks Learning that fosters cross-cultural collaboration and civic engagement.
Oksana sat with her class to reflect on what they had accomplished. The result? A moment of gratitude—and a message that speaks to the heart of our work at MapWorks Learning:
“Dear Kent, Christopher, Terku, Kojo, and UYAN-Project team,
It’s been two weeks since the final presentation, but just today we were reflecting on the project again with the students, and there was so much gratitude and thoughtful reflection that I felt it was the perfect moment to write to you on behalf of our group.
Thank you so much for the opportunity to be part of the Ukraine Youth Action Network project! It was an incredibly meaningful and inspiring experience for our students in DSG. Kent, I’m especially glad that through mutual connections, we not only met online but also had the chance to connect in person.
Thank you for opening the door for us to join this project. I truly hope we’ll stay in touch.
My sincere thanks to you, Christopher, and Terku for your support, your vision, and for making our participation possible. Kojo, your support was not only virtual—it was constantly present, motivating and guiding us with clear instructions, helpful feedback, and a personal touch.
This project is truly valuable: it not only improves English skills, but also encourages critical thinking, empathy, engagement, and civil courage. Thank you for making it all happen!”
Oksana’s words remind us that UYAN is more than a program—it’s a community. And in her case, a deeply personal one.
Originally from Kyiv, Oksana taught language and literature for over a decade before relocating to Berlin in the wake of Russia’s full-scale invasion. Now teaching at DSG Berlin, she brings a rare and powerful perspective—as both an educator and a displaced Ukrainian herself.
Her participation in UYAN came at a time when students across Europe and the U.S. were grappling with how to understand and respond to the war in Ukraine. Oksana’s class collaborated with Boston-based students to build a project that explored identity, civic courage, and solidarity across borders.
This kind of collaboration is at the core of UYAN. It allows students from different countries to co-create a project rooted in empathy, designed to benefit Ukrainian communities affected by war. Students develop critical skills—communication, leadership, project management—while forming lasting bonds across cultures.
It’s estimated that over 5 million children in Ukraine have had their education disrupted due to the war. Hundreds of schools have been damaged or destroyed. For Ukrainian students displaced across Europe and for host communities alike, programs like UYAN offer not just academic value but emotional resilience and a path toward hope.
Oksana’s message captured that beautifully:
“This project not only improves English skills—it encourages critical thinking, empathy, engagement, and civil courage.”
For those of us at MapWorks Learning, that is the very definition of education in action. We’re honored to walk alongside educators like Oksana—and students who are shaping a future rooted in courage, understanding, and compassion.