UAC`s student: Odesa Orphan Who Turned Hardship Into Purpose
Alina Lyshchenko was born on August 20, 2008, in Odesa, Ukraine. She never knew her father. Her mother struggled with severe alcohol addiction, and life at home meant hunger, cold, and neglect — conditions no child should ever know.
From Abandonment and Cold Streets to College and Community Service
There were moments that stay with a person forever. At just four years old, Alina was left alone on the street by her mother — cold, hungry, and wandering. She fell ill frequently. No one came to find her.
Eventually, Alina was removed from her mother's care and placed in a shelter. What happened to her biological mother after that remains unknown — whether she is still alive, no one can say.
From the shelter, Alina was taken in by a devout Christian family. Her guardian, Tetyana Petrychenko, welcomed her into a home in Delta-Koshary near Pivdenne, Odesa region, alongside three other orphaned children.
In 2014, Alina started first grade at Pivdenne School No. 3 and simultaneously enrolled in the local School of Arts, studying piano and fine arts — both of which she completed successfully.
In 2025, Alina graduated from secondary school and entered her second year at the Odesa Mechanical and Technological College, studying grain processing technology.
Beyond her studies, Alina is an active member of the Baptist Church "Vefil" in Pivdenne. She volunteers with the "Tent of God's Help" ministry, serving those in need, and helps maintain and care for the church's gardens and grounds.
Like so many Ukrainians, Alina carries the weight of war — emotionally and materially. But she holds onto her faith, believing that with God's help, every hardship can be overcome.
Alina is applying to join the UAC student support program with a sincere promise: to follow every rule, study diligently, and carry herself with excellence.
Her story is one of survival, quiet strength, and a heart turned toward others — exactly the kind of story UACUA is proud to share.