Rotary mentors help Olha to a leading role

BEING overwhelmed with “unreality and loneliness” are the emotions that come to mind when Monifieth High School pupil Olha Makarova thinks back to her first night at the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) programme in the Highlands last summer.

Unable to speak English, and surrounded by people she didn’t know or understand, she wanted to go back home to her mum, recalling: “I didn’t know whether to cry, get angry, laugh or scream.”

But thanks to encouragement and support from her “guardian angel” – RYLA programme manager Wendy Maltman – the young Ukrainian refugee began to believe in herself, to believe in others and grew stronger.

Olha, 17, who fled the war in Ukraine with her mum Tetiana and elder sister Maria in 2022, was encouraged to apply by her mum to overcome the language barrier and start communicating in English with her peers.

After overcoming her initial fears, she felt the birth of a new feeling at last year’s North Scotland Rotary Club’s summer programme – hope.

“On the first day we were all divided into teams,” said Olha. “Our team went to the mountains where we did rock climbing.

“At the beginning each of us was on our own. But with every step we took the threads that bound us together grew stronger.

“We helped and supported each other. We were united by a common goal and understanding that it is easier to go together.

“We reached the summit together. At that moment I felt that I was not alone. We’re a team!”

Over a week, the 16 and 17-yearolds climbed mountains, rode mountain bikes, walked through a gorge waist-deep in water, swam, built a raft, played relay races and orientated themselves on a map.

Wendy, president of Dundee Rotary Club, explained how mentors at the camp take part in many of the activities with the youngsters and in the evenings

they review how the day has gone.

“It’s a really good opportunity for young people to develop their leadership skills and their teamwork skills – just to boost their confidence,” Wendy said.

“It gives them all kind of skills. It’s all about levelling and getting on and working together.”

Olha’s mum, Tetiana, and her husband – who stayed behind in Ukraine to fight – made the tough call to evacuate their kids a month after the Russian invasion.

Amid air raids and bombings, the trio travelled across Ukraine and ended up in Zurich, where they were sent to a refugee camp. Eventually they made it to Scotland.

Tetiana said Monifieth High School has been “amazing”. But there have been other challenges for Olha. The bombings, saying

goodbye to her dad and friends, dealing with new people and living as a refugee all made the teenager shut herself off from the world.

“It’s been tough to get Olha to open up,” said Tetiana.

“She’s been bombarded with a ton of English stuff at school, and it’s overwhelming for her. No wonder she’s stressed out.

“But finally, just recently, Olha has started to come alive again.

“She’s interested in learning English and hanging out with friends. Her thirst for knowledge and creativity is back.

Tetiana added that RYLA made a “profound impact on Olha”.

“I had concerns for her wellbeing,” Tetiana said. “She even wrote an essay titled A Summer That Transformed Lives for school, highlighting the transformative nature of her summer.”

REBIRTH OF HOPE: Olha says a week in the Highlands and support and encouragement from Wendy has transformed her outlook.

Olha and the other teenagers enjoyed mountain biking, swimming and orienteering during the week.