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2002-2010

October 23, 2023 - I Will CandleLight Tradition is Born

October 23, 2023 - I Will CandleLight Tradition is Born

On October 23, 2023, we celebrate my father Vladimir on his Birthday.

While it's our first Birthday without him, his legacy shines brightly.


The I Will organisation was conceived in October 2002 at the kitchen table in Mykolaiv, Ukraine, with my mom and dad. For Dad, I Will wasn't just a passion; it was a relentless volunteering commitment, on top of his full-time job. And Mom always stood by our side, shared her enthusiasm, encouragement and pride.

My dad lived a life guided by kindness, patience, optimism, and the power of dreaming. But what set him apart was not just his dreams but his unwavering dedication to turning those dreams into actions and his optimism. Optimism/Hope Story: In the winter of 2022, we found ourselves waiting for hours at the border, on a long, cold and rainy night, in the despate crowd. We left everything behind and the future was uncertain. Dad was fighting illness. And I will never forget this moment:  Worrying for my dad, I looked at him, and he looked at me, and he winked at me with a twinkle in his eye, and softly said: 'This is romantic.'  It is a remarkable ability to find hope and dream even in the most challenging times.

My dads favourite words are - “Не останавливайся на достигнутом и не зазнавайся”!   Knowing my dad's philosophy of life, this can be translated as “Embrace the present, unleash the future and stay humble”.

As part of the celebration, together we lit the I Will Candle.

We are excited to announce the 'I Will Candlelight Fund.' 

This fund will ensure that the light of Knowledge, Hope, and Will continue to shine bright in the years to come. Donations to the I Will Candlelight Fund will support our ongoing educational initiatives. 

Thank you from the bottom of my heart

Tatiana




I Will Opens 3rd Computer Learning Center

I Will Opens 3rd Computer Learning Center

Nikolaev, Ukraine

The year 2010 is very special – yet another computer class has opened its doors on May 21, 2010, giving hundreds of children access to computers and Internet for education and livelihood purposes.

 

Orphanage for Blind Children - Warm Clothing

Orphanage for Blind Children - Warm Clothing

Kharkov Orphanage, Ukraine

Thank you to all of our supporters who made generous donations to the visually impaired children of the Kharkov Orphanage, you made this project very successful!

 

 

School Portraits for Nikolaev Orphanage #5

School Portraits for Nikolaev Orphanage #5

Nikolaev, Ukraine

During our annual visit to Nikolaev Orphanage, we decided to take portraits of children so they have professionally made head shots. We picked one of brightest rooms in the dormitory and had started shooting there, using window light. The atmosphere was fun because kids were surprised that someone is taking their picture. The line up was not ending and we were running out of memory.

 

Sharing a winter coat?

Kharkov, Ukraine

Kharkov Orphanage is in Urgent Need! There are twenty two blind kids in the Kharkov Orphanage that urgently need winter clothes. As one of the examples to illustrate the need is that kids go outside for a walk in shifts, because they do not have enough winter coats for everyone. 

 

Christmas Gifts for Children in Nikolaev

Christmas Gifts for Children in Nikolaev

Nikolaev Region, Ukraine

During our most recent visit to the Nikolaev orphanage, we witnessed that the I Will Computer Class is extremely popular and very successful, barely surviving the great demand and busy class schedule. We are working on updating class computer peripherals and hardware.

 

Giving Hope for Olesia

Giving Hope for Olesia

Veselinovo, Ukraine

I Will donated funds to pay off the debt of the operation and also made it possible to have a custom corset made for Olesia. I WILL has plans to donate funds to cover Olesia’s follow up appointments and medication.

 

Keeping Children Warm

Keeping Children Warm

Nikolaev Region

We make items for both little girls and boys so as many children as possible will have the chance to receive a gift. These gifts are to help keep the children warm in the cold Ukrainian winter.

 

Connected Kids - Computer Class #2

Connected Kids - Computer Class #2

Ochakov, Ukraine

Another computer class (I Will Association second class) was made possible with the donations of I WILL supporters. The computers arrived and were set up for the benefit of the children in the Ochakov orphanage. The smiles spread from ear to ear on the kids faces as they felt the excitement of connecting to the world at large.

 

Printer and Computer Peripherals

Printer and Computer Peripherals

Nikolaev, Ukraine

The I Will Computer Room expands with the addition of full-color laser printers. This important feature will allow the children to expand their capabilities, develop their artistic talents and prepare professional quality documents necessary for eventual application to university and the job market.

 

New Computer Peripherals

New Computer Peripherals

Nikolaev, Ukraine

The I Will Computer Room has been such a success that in only two short years, the equipment has become worn from excessive use! In a surprise visit to Ukraine I Will delivered and installed the new peripherals. The kids took on the role of apprentice, assisting the installation and joyously thanking the I Will representatives. Photographs commemorate this occasion.

 

Renovating Ochakov Orphanage - Bathrooms etc

Renovating Ochakov Orphanage - Bathrooms etc

Ochakov Orphanage, Ukraine

While the trip to Ochakov was total fun, it was a real eye opener to learn of the terribly poor condition of the bathrooms at the orphanage. It was absolutely heartbreaking to think that children had to bath in a space that was no better finished than a dungeon, no hot water and barely any fresh water.

 

Road trip and ice cream for everyone!

Road trip and ice cream for everyone!

Ochakov, Ukraine

The talented performing artists from The Nikolaev Palace of Education in Arts load up the buses and heads south to the quaint Black Sea village of Ochakov to meet and perform for the wonderful children of The Ochakov Orphanage. 

 

Realizing the Dream - 1st Computer Class

Realizing the Dream - 1st Computer Class

Nikolaev, Ukraine

I Will 1st Computer Class Opens its Doors!

Our volunteers in Nikolayev, Ukraine – Batiuk Alexey and Vladimir Kotov – worked very hard to launch the I Will Computer Training Class. The class has eight workstations that were set up in a newly renovated classroom. A teacher was brought in to help the kids learn. The photos speak volumes about the happiness the children expressed.

 

Hearing Aid for Irina

Hearing Aid for Irina

Nikolaev, Ukraine

I WILL donations were used to help Irina get the life changing hearing aid she needed. Irina wrote a letter to express her deep appreciation for helping to give a gift that has made all the difference in her life. Irina hopes to attend a local college after high school.

 

Cooking For The Cause

Cooking For The Cause

Toronto, Canada

A decadent cooking class was taught by Chris Hockely, a Toronto area chef, who generously gave his time to I WILL to help raise money for a special girl. The event raised $1000 for Irina Lubitskaya, a 12 year old girl in the orphanage, who needed a hearing aid.

 

Sweaters Made With Love

Sweaters Made With Love

Toronto, Canada

Elisabeth Eckhardt hand knit two sweaters for Nikolaev school orphanage # 5. Two sisters, Snezhana (10) and Dalena (8), were presented with the sweaters. They will forever treasure this special gift. 

 

I WILL Makes the Papers

I WILL Makes the Papers

Nikolaev, Ukraine

An article about the success of I WILL was printed on Saturday January 25, 2003 in Nikolayev’s regional newspaper ‘Southern Pravda’. The efforts of I WILL were widely acknowledged and appreciated by the orphanage management team and by the children themselves.

 

Christmas Toy and Clothing Drives

Christmas Toy and Clothing Drives

Nikolaev, Ukraine

Christmas Toy and Clothing Drives

Brenda Sweeney and Kathy Battista both organized separate very successful toy and clothing drives.

 

I Will Nikolaev Orphanage Visit in 2002

I Will Nikolaev Orphanage Visit in 2002

Nikolaev, Ukraine

Visits allow us to make direct connections with the children and the people who take care of them. It is during these visits that our task lists are created.