My host mother, Luda, with one of her sons, Igor. This was taken in July of 2009, when I left my permanent site for a visit. The room they are sitting in was my "bedroom."
Shortly after arriving to site and moving in with our host family, three generations of Ukrainians teach Lauren how to make varenyky, stuffed dumplings, which were then filled with sour cherries. A labor of love that is so worth the effort!
I took this photo in July 2011 at a summer camp for at-risk youth infected and affected by HIV in Ukraine. Camp OHALOW (Overcoming HIV And Leading Our World) is a week-long HIV leadership camp where kids aged 10-13 have an opportunity to experience...
This photo was taken at a Festival of Russian Culture in Vilkova, southern Ukraine in 2009. Many choruses participated, as well as an appreciative audience member! (Note the stance of one of the organizers in the background. She did not seem to...
This photo was taken on May 20, 2011 at the HIV/AIDS candlelight memorial in Ukraine. Students of all ages participated in a candlelight walk, quizzes focused on prevention and stigma reduction, behavior pledges, and presented interpretive dance,...
This photo was taken on May 20, 2011 at the HIV/Aids This photo was taken at a candlelight memorial in Ukraine. Students of all ages participated in a candlelight walk, quizzes focused on prevention and stigma reduction, behavior pledges, and...
This photo was taken on May 20, 2011 at an HIV/AIDS candlelight memorial in Ukraine. Students of all ages participated in a candlelight walk, quizzes focused on prevention and stigma reduction, behavior pledges and presented interpretive dance,...
This picture was taken in
Ukraine on May 21, 2012, at the city-wide remembrance event following the International Candlelight Vigil the night before. It shows myself and my co-worker, Jenya, holding hands over memorial candles in the shape of a...
With the fellow members of the American Cultural Center at the Kharkiv National University, Kharkiv which was opened in collaboration with the US Embassy. We had lots of fun creating the English library, English Speaking club and the monthly...
This photo was taken outside of Sozopol, Bulgaria in July of 2012. A Ukrainian English Language summer camp with 5 PCV counselors held a baseball game after lessons were given about how to play. This is a student playing the game as pitcher for his...
Children; Crafts; Host community; Education; Camps and clubs
I took this photo in August of 2011 at an English language summer camp in Ukraine. One of the sessions we had each day was "Camper's Choice" and after seeing some impressive teams flags made by the kids, I thought doing art would be fun for the...
This photo was taken during my trip to Crimea, Ukraine, to visit some of local Volunteers. The girl in this picture is Azime, a Crimean Tatar 12 year old. The photo shows her proudly showing her parents' crops. Azime lives in a little town far away...
This photo was taken during my trip to Crimea, Ukraine, to visit some local Volunteers. The girl in this picture is Azime, a Crimean Tatar 12 year old. The photo shows her proudly showing her parents' crops. Azime lives in a little town far away...
This photo was taken during my 'Becoming A Man' class in which I teach my young Ukrainian male students what it means to be mature, responsible, citizens of the world.
Young Ukrainian song-and-dance group get ready to perform at a Summer Festival, to celebrate the region's fine Ukrainian honey. Honey producers had put together an extensive display of honey and its health merits, as well as mead, beeswax, royal...