Special Stories from the “Mentorship” Project

Mentorship is about support that builds a bridge between desire and ability — about believing in someone’s potential and helping them see their own strengths, even when they don’t yet recognize them.

Through the project, we witness how simple meetings turn into trusting relationships, and how ordinary conversations spark real change.

Each pair’s journey is different: some are looking to find a career path or get their first job to save up for a motorcycle, while others are learning to speak with confidence — or even to read for the first time. But for all of them, the value of support is the same.

Valentyna and Kateryna: An Unexpected Meeting that Opened New Doors

At 20, Valentyna is a whirlwind of emotions — impulsive, active, sensitive, and deeply responsive to praise and kindness. She dreams of an active, fulfilling life but has often lacked the support needed to turn her abilities into real achievements.

That’s why Valentyna decided to join the “Mentorship” program by Dobrodiy Club. Her first meeting with her mentor Kateryna came as a surprise — they already knew each other. Kateryna had once worked at the college where Valentyna studied, but this meeting became the start of something much deeper.

From the very beginning, Valentyna felt a special connection with her mentor. In Kateryna’s presence, she could finally be herself — without fear of being judged or misunderstood. Kateryna, in turn, saw in Valentyna a depth and potential the young woman didn’t yet recognize.

Through their regular conversations, they shared personal stories, discussed dreams and challenges — and step by step, turned reflection into action. With Kateryna’s guidance and encouragement, Valentyna found a job as an administrator at a local clinic — her first confident step toward independence.

Artem and Oleksandr: A Story of Friendship and Trust

Artem, a 17-year-old boy, is quiet and cautious in communication. He longs for deep, meaningful conversations but often lacks the confidence to start them.

It was his grandmother who registered him for the “Mentorship” program, setting just one condition — the meetings had to be online. Artem doubted that virtual interaction could bring the real sense of friendship he craved.

His first meeting with Oleksandr, his mentor, was challenging. Artem refused to turn on his camera, speaking only through his headphones.
Oleksandr — a teacher, designer, and a man with a warm sense of humor and a genuine desire to help — understood that trust takes time. He accepted Artem’s boundaries patiently.

Meeting after meeting, Artem grew more confident in their conversations. They discussed everything: school, favorite games, books, and everyday life. And then, one day, came a quiet but powerful breakthrough — Artem turned on his camera.

What began as cautious online communication has grown into a real friendship, one filled with laughter, trust, and mutual respect — exactly what Artem had hoped to find.

Mentorship Is the Power of Support

The stories of our mentoring pairs show that sometimes the most important thing you can do is simply be there. When someone believes in your potential and walks beside you, the world begins to open doors that once seemed closed.

Stay tuned to our social media for more stories of our mentoring pairs, useful materials, and updates from the project.

The “Mentorship” project is implemented with the support of UNICEF Ukraine and our partner EPAM Ukraine.