In 2019, Anne Robinson and Anna Duchenko met for the first time in Kyiv, then again in Vinnystia at a wonderful training event for teachers. Those first encounters translated into a friendship, and meaningful connection and exchange of experiences. One evening, Anna and Anne started discussing ways of inspiring students, helping them to develop new skills and hobbies. Discussion about a bracelet from that 2019 trip, and the idea was born!
Other educators around the world helped shape the project:
My name is Alex and I work in English language teaching and training development. When the military invasion of Ukraine began, I was contacted to join this amazing project and it just seemed liked the perfect thing to do, as I had been speaking to some
friends directly affected by what is happening, and others who are looking for ways to offer support. An opportunity to reach out to people in my local neighbourhood, but also to everyone! So far, there has been so much interest in getting involved in Bracelets and Peace, and I find it amazing how many people are getting involved and sharing their grain of sand. Together, we can make a difference!
I’m an English teacher on a very small island in the Aegean Sea. It was back in 2015 when the people from Syria started arriving on my island that I started to help by bringing food, clothes, blankets or toys. You see, it’s heartbreaking to see mothers trying to keep their children warm and feed them, having lost everything. It’s solidarity, not charity. It’s standing by your fellow human being and saying “I’m here, you can count on me.” When Anne Robinson talked to me about the bracelets project, without hesitation, I said: “Yes, let’s do this!” I don’t know if I can change the world, but I do know that I must do something about it. Please join us and share our dream.
I’m am an English teacher and have a small language school in Melgaço, in the north of Portugal. When the the military invasion of Ukraine began, I joined a Facebook group which was collecting goods and medicine to send to the Ukrainian people. Parents, students and friends joined me in this humanitarian cause and created a beautiful chain of solidarity, kindness and endless support to the Ukrainian people. So, when my friend Anne told me about her idea of starting this project, I immediately agreed to join in! The thought of encouraging people to get together and make bracelets to promote peace is amazing, so please: JOIN us and let’s make a difference together!
The next step was to get students involved, and we had the perfect people to do that! The students at the school where Anna works, the Vinnytsia Primary School for Humanities #25! Anne recorded a video, asking for their help. The response by the students at Vinnytsia Primary School for Humanities #25 was absolutely astounding. Thanks to all those amazing students at the school. You are the perfect team to kick-start this project! You are showing us what we can achieve if we work together!