Pathway to Success Program Inspires Young Ukrainians
December 12, 2022
By Noopur Desai
The Program
Kidsave’s Corporate Mentoring program, Pathway to Success continues to help older kids and teens living in orphanages and institutions in Ukraine successfully transition into independent living by providing them with mentorship, job training and advising, and financial planning. As children raised in institutions, the kids in the Pathway to Success program have had very little encouragement and are often woefully unprepared for life as an adult. The Pathway to Success program helps them learn more about potential careers and education opportunities, money management and budgeting, and other important life skills they will need to be successful. To help the youth learn more about the world of careers and job opportunities that are out there, the Pathway to Success program regularly tours businesses and companies to learn more about how they operate, the people who work there, and what kind of skills and training is required.
Happening Now
Recently the teens in the program completed two industry tours: one of the Hyatt Regency Hotel and one of the Kava Pro Company. At the Hyatt Regency Hotel, the kids learned the ins and outs of the hospitality industry as they were given a tour of the hotel by staff. After the tour, a hospitality specialist took the youth into one of the hotel’s large conference rooms where they were offered tea and croissants and given the opportunity to ask any questions they had about the hotel industry.
When asked about the Hyatt Regency tour, 18-year-old Nastya, said, “I really enjoyed visiting Hyatt Regency in Kyiv! We had a very interesting tour, where I learned a lot about the hotel business. I would love to go there again and learn more!”
On another outing, the Pathway to Success teens dove into the world of coffee as they toured the Kava Pro Company in Kyiv. On this tour, they were able to learn the entire production process that goes into a delicious cup of coffee—from roasting the beans, to packaging and storing, to grinding and brewing, they were able to watch it all. Then, the teens got to act as professional taste-testers as they tasted various types of coffee to learn about the different flavor components.
While all of the kids had a good time on the outing, there were a few who were especially fascinated by the world of coffee. One of the kids bit by the coffee bug was 18-year-old Alyona.
“The tour was great! I liked everything about it,” she said afterwards. “It was so much fun to taste the coffee. It was interesting to know what countries they deliver coffee beans from. I was amazed by the Kava Pro team. They were so nice and smiling. I would love to become a barista and open my own coffee shop in future, where everyone will feel warm.”
Inspiration
Inspiring young people to see the world of possibilities around them is a big part of what the Pathway to Success program is all about. Kids who have grown up feeling isolated and alone, without the love and support of a family, receive mentorship and learn how to overcome their fears of the world, believe in themselves, and become positive contributors in society. With a little encouragement and guidance, they are finally able to see their true potential as professionals and human beings.
