School in Katumba Camp
School in Katumba Camp January 7, 2025 Emily Klooster Tanzania Our goals: Promoting peace Providing opportunity Countering extremism Norbert Mbwiliza...
Photo: Teachers from Academy of Wisdom enjoy a much-needed mental health retreat.
Our goals:
- Promoting peace
- Providing opportunity
- Countering extremism
A story from Ukraine: Academy of Wisdom serving 218 students in Bucha
Since the Russian invasion in February 2022, TSI supporters have delivered hope to Ukrainian teachers like Mykola Zakharchenko in the form of salary support, teacher retreats, technology for instruction, and on-campus bomb shelter reinforcements. Here is Mykola’s testimony of the invasion and its aftermath, plus a note of thanks.
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My name is Mykola Zakharchenko. Since 2018, I have been teaching mathematics and physics at Academy of Wisdom in Bucha. I am grateful to be working here where there is a friendly team of like-minded professionals dedicated to the education and training of Ukraine’s younger generation.
A city invaded
Our city was one of the first to feel the fallout after the full-scale invasion by Russia began. On the first day of the war almost all workers, along with their families and children, were transported to western Ukraine, and some even abroad, thanks to the assistance of the school’s administration.
My wife and daughter fled the war, first to Poland, then to the United States when the opportunity arose. In such difficult circumstances, our teaching team rallied together and two weeks after the war began, they resumed free online education for students. We completed the 2021-2022 academic year.
A slow return
During this period Bucha was liberated, and some people began to return, but many families remained in various cities throughout western Ukraine and abroad. People lost their homes, jobs, and financial stability.
The administration at Academy of Wisdom decided that in the 2022-2023 school year, our institution would operate online so that all of our students in different cities, wherever they were, could continue to receive an education, and all teachers could continue to work, receiving much needed pay in that difficult time.
Support from generous donors
But none of this would’ve been possible without the financial assistance and support of generous people, for us and for the school. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you. Because of this assistance, received my monthly salary on time and was able to survive in Ukraine at the start of the war.
At the moment, I live next door to my 82-year-old mother, whom I also financially support. I try to the best of my ability to assist others who are in need and was able to set aside money from the funds I received for my teaching to pay for a trip abroad to see my family.
I am currently looking for opportunities to leave the country. I’ve been communicating with my relatives solely through social media for the past year and four months.
May our Heavenly Father shower you with his blessings abundantly. Thank you very much! •
With gratitude,
Mykola
Year-end 2025’s Know Their Names campaign will help deliver safe schools to refugee children. Our goal is to raise $105,000. Together, we can show children God cares for them.
Before and after images of bomb shelter fortifications
at Academy of Wisdom
Academy of Wisdom in Bucha, Ukraine
"People lost their homes, jobs, and financial stability."
- Mykola Zakharchenko
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