An Odesa Student Who Found His Voice and His Future
Ivan was born on November 26, 2007, in Odesa, Ukraine. By the time he was two years old, both of his parents had passed away. For years, his elderly grandmother was his only family — until she could no longer walk or care for him. When she died, Ivan was placed in an orphanage. The grief was overwhelming. Ivan stopped talking entirely.
From an Orphanage to College — Ivan's Journey of Resilience and Hope
But then something changed. A woman named Ira came to the orphanage and brought Ivan into her family. She gave him something he had never truly had before: safety, love, and a place to belong. Today, Ivan lives in Odesa with his mother Ira and seven brothers.
When Ivan entered 5th grade in 2018, he could barely read, write, or count. Social interaction felt impossible. With his mother's steady support, he worked through every obstacle — and in 2025, he graduated from 11th grade and enrolled in the Mechanical and Technological College, studying meat processing technology.
The choice of profession is deeply personal. As a young child, Ivan's most basic wish was simply to have enough food to eat. Now he wants to master the craft of making the finest sausages and cold cuts — not just for himself, but for the people of his city and his country.
Outside of his studies, Ivan loves football. Every evening he plays with friends — the same kind of friendships that once seemed completely out of reach. He enjoys movies and talks about film with the people around him. Speaking to others, once an impossible task, is no longer a barrier.