From the law — to the person beside you
Until quite recently, we talked a lot about how important it was for mentorship in Ukraine to have a legislative foundation. Today, the Law already exists. And the next, equally important step lies ahead of us — to ensure that its opportunities reach every community, and ultimately every child and young person who needs a reliable adult by their side.
This was exactly what was discussed on September 4 in Uzhhorod during the roundtable discussion "From Law to Practice: How to Develop Mentorship in Zakarpattia Oblast".
Representatives of the state, local government, the social sector, public and charitable organizations, international partners, mentorship specialists, and practitioners gathered around one table. Different experiences, different roles — but a shared goal: to build a system in which a child who needs support can truly meet their mentor.
It is especially valuable for us that Zakarpattia already has its first results: 16 candidates completed specialized training, 8 of them have already become mentors, 4 are at the final stage of signing agreements, and another 4 are waiting to meet their future mentees.
But mentorship is not just about creating a match.
It means hearing a child’s needs. Finding an adult who is ready to be there not once or twice, but for the long term. Preparing them properly. Helping the child and mentor get acquainted and build trust. And then — not leaving them on their own, but continuing to support, advise, and help them navigate difficult moments together.
This journey was exactly what the representative of the Mentorship Association and national mentorship trainer spoke about during the roundtable discussion Olena Shulha.
And perhaps the best way to understand the meaning of all this large-scale systemic work is not through algorithms or documents, but through people’s stories.
The mentor shared her story Alona Bliuk. shared her story. She herself has faced many life challenges, but one day she decided to become that significant adult for a girl who needed support. Not a "perfect" adult. Not a person who has answers to every question. But a person who stays by her side.
Because behind the words "law," "social service," "algorithm," "training," and "support," there are always two people. A child. And an adult whom the child one day dared to trust. That is why the true result of mentorship for us is not a number in a report.
It is when a child knows whom to call when things are difficult. When a teenager begins to believe they have a future. When an adult appears beside them who does not disappear after the first difficulty.
The Law has given us a foundation. Now our shared task is to turn it into a living, accessible, and safe support system.
From the Law — to the system.
From the system — to a mentorship match.
From a mentorship match — to real changes in the life of a specific child.
