Since 2017, CheFuKo has led a cultural exchange program between the children of Ukraine and Fukushima, Japan.

The children from Ukraine come from regions near the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. Their families and communities have suffered as a result of the accident, and its effects are still being felt over 30 years later.

After visiting Japan and connecting with the children of Fukushima, these children returned home to follow their dreams in Ukraine.

Today, we would like to introduce some of these children and talk about what they have accomplished since their experiences with the Ukraine and Fukushima Children’s Exchange Program.

Children from 2017 Exchange Program

Veronika Pylypko

Veronika is currently studying informational systems and technologies. She was inspired by her experience with Japanese technology to one day come up with her own technology. Since Veronika likes to travel, she hopes to one day use Ukraine’s “Work and Travel” Program to visit many other countries, just like Japan!

Taras Gnelytsya

Taras is studying international business in the Netherlands. He was impressed by the sense of responsibility and respectfulness he saw in the Japanese people. Now he would like travel the world, and one day use Japanese technology to improve the lives around him!

Anna Lukyanchuk

Anna is now studying international relations at the National Aviation University in the capital city of Kyiv.　As someone with many art-related hobbies, Anna hopes to preserve the cultural heritage of her country like Japan has. She would like to find work in the travel industry.

In the next post, we will take a look at the children from the 2018 and 2019 Exchange Programs.