Yuliia embarked on a journey to Virginia with her husband and two children, a son, and a daughter, who were on an official trip. Having recently settled in the USA a few months prior, their lives took an unexpected turn when Russia envisioned Ukraine. As the conflict escalated, Yuliia's husband, a member of the Ukrainian army, made the courageous decision to return to defend his homeland. Yuliia, hailing from a military family background with her grandfather having served, wholeheartedly supported her husband's resolve, understanding the gravity of military responsibility, especially during times of war. Remaining in Virginia with her children while her husband ventured back to Ukraine, Yuliia faced the challenges of not being fluent in English. Undeterred, she resolved to learn the language to better support her family. Amidst her language learning journey, Yuliia discovered Eagle Online Academy on Facebook and enrolled in their English classes, successfully completing the grammar and writing class. With the eventual recapture of Kyiv by the Ukrainian government, Yuliia made the decision to return to her homeland, eager to contribute to the country's reconstruction. Despite acknowledging the difficulties ahead, such as the destruction of infrastructure, including schools and hospitals, damaged electricity factories, and a shortage of essential services, Yuliia was determined to play her part in rebuilding. Upon her return, Yuliia found her home in Irpin destroyed, limiting their residence to Kyiv. She shared the numerous challenges faced, from electricity shortages to a scarcity of schools and jobs, especially for older individuals. During these struggles, Yuliia took on a role as a program assistant in a development project. Simultaneously, she decided to pursue a TESOL certification program with Eagle Online Academy, aiming to contribute her language expertise to her country by teaching English. To pay it forward, she was inspired by their work and contributed as a translator for Eagle Online Academy's mental health video script. Yuliia believes that Eagle Online Academy's free and online services can greatly benefit Ukrainian women and girls, both in the country and among the refugee population. To pay it forward, she was inspired by their work and contributed as a translator for Eagle Online Academy's mental health video script. In a message to others, Yuliia encourages resilience in the face of uncertainty. She urges people to persevere, work hard, and support their communities. Her story stands as a testament to the strength that emerges from facing unexpected challenges and the importance of supporting one another.

From Tragedy to Triumph: Soria's Journey of Resilience and Education

A Beacon of Hope and Determination

Resilience Unveiled: Zohal's Journey to Justice and Education

A determined and passionate Afghan girl

Navigating Boundaries, Forging Dreams

Mariia can still remember when Ukrainians from eastern Ukraine were forced to leave for other parts of the country as refugees. She couldn't imagine how that must have been for them, and her heart broke for them. Then Russia showed up suddenly, forcing Mariia and her daughter to flee to Romania. The Romanians were so warm and welcoming to her and her family, and that is something she will forever be grateful for.

Despite coming from a family of extreme poverty, Khatera was always at the top of her class, from 1st-9th grade... With limited electricity in their home, she spent most of her nights studying by kerosene lantern dreaming of being amongst the world's best female architects in the world. Sadly, her family is not so enthusiastic about her education and dreams. “Stop wasting your time, you’re a girl and you will get married and raise a family”. For Khatera that is not a reality she wants or chooses to believe in.

Ever since the Taliban seized control over Afghanistan in August of 2021, Sharifa has waited and anticipated for the green light to be able to go back to school. When that time finally came, she was so excited she ironed her uniform, went to bed early and double checked with her parents to make sure they would wake her up for the first day back. She excitedly texted her friends to make plans to walk together.