Ethan Hill’s Path from Online Volunteering to an English Camp in Ukraine
- ENGin Program
- Aug 13
- 3 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
When Ethan Hill signed up for his first ENGin conversation in June 2023, he never imagined that within a year, he would be teaching English to children in a small Ukrainian village, meeting his students across three countries, and becoming one of ENGin’s most dedicated “supervolunteers.”
For Ethan, the decision to volunteer was personal and urgent.
“I was horrified by russia’s brutal assault on Ukraine,” he recalls. “Volunteering with ENGin was a tangible way I could show support for Ukraine.”
He began with one student, Ira, and enjoyed their weekly conversations so much that his one student quickly turned into six: Uliana, Andrii, Maksym, Kateryna, Bohdan, and Ira. His students have met him not only online but also in person - in Canada, Poland, and Ukraine.
From One ENGin Conversation Partner to Six to Learning Ukrainian
Weekly calls with his students are more than just English practice. They’re a window into Ukrainian life — its culture, traditions, humor, and resilience, as well as a reminder of the ongoing reality of war.
“When you know people living through it, the war never feels far away. Cities like Lviv, Kyiv, or Odesa aren’t just names on a map anymore, they’re places where people I care about live.”
And Ethan hasn’t stopped at English conversation practice. Since August 2023, he’s been a dedicated “Speak Ukrainian” student, logging 84 lessons with his Ukrainian teacher (and ENGin alumna) Kateryna.
“Kateryna is a wonderful teacher. Learning Ukrainian has made me an even better conversation partner — it’s a bridge of mutual effort.”
Bringing English to Life at Ukraine’s First Folkowisko Fundacja Summer Camp
In summer 2025, Ethan took that bridge across the ocean. Along with fellow volunteers Kat and Tom, he joined Folkowisko Fundacja and the Kosciuszko Foundation in hosting an English camp for 30 children in Nahachiv, Ukraine, a village near the Polish border.
The camp was buzzing with creativity: origami butterflies and frogs, paper airplane contests, balloon car races, and daily football games. The grand finale was a student performance of “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” and two Ukrainian songs to a room full of proud parents.
“The energy was incredible. The kids were fearless, the parents beaming. You could feel the community’s pride.”
The hospitality was just as memorable. Villagers cooked fresh meals from their gardens, offered guided tours, invited the volunteers into their homes, and even gifted honey from local beehives.
Teaching Amid the Shadows of War
Even far from the frontlines, reminders of the war were ever-present: nightly air alarms, memorials for fallen soldiers, stories from locals with family members serving on the frontlines. One mother showed Ethan combat footage her son had sent from the battlefield. Another volunteer had witnessed a drone strike while studying in Lviv.
“Those moments made the reality of the war hit even harder. But they also showed me the incredible strength of Ukrainians — their ability to keep giving, keep laughing, keep building.”
Why Volunteering Matters
For Ethan, ENGin is more than a language program, it’s a lifeline of connection.
“It’s easy to think of a war as something distant. But through ENGin, I’ve built real friendships. Volunteering isn’t just about teaching English — it’s about standing with people in a very real way.”
From six weekly conversation partners to 84 Ukrainian lessons, from meeting students in three countries to helping run Ukraine’s first Folkowisko English camp, Ethan embodies what ENGin volunteers can achieve when they lean in with both heart and time.
And he’s not done yet.
“Given the opportunity, I’d join a camp like this again without hesitation. These connections stay with you — they change how you see the world.”
Interested in following in Ethan’s footsteps? You don’t need to travel across the globe to make a difference. As an ENGin volunteer, you can support Ukraine and connect with amazing people all from your own home.
Join ENGin as a volunteer and start your journey today.