Exciting news! Elder KM has a breaking announcement about the ENGin program. We are so honored that she has chosen to share this exclusive announcement with WLBOTT!
ENGin Reaches 50,000 Participants!
Elder KM here with some exciting news to celebrate! My nonprofit ENGin just reached an incredible milestone a few months ahead of its 5th anniversary: 50,000 participants served.
Since launching in early 2020, ENGin has had one central mission: changing both individual lives and an entire nation through the power of conversation. We connect Ukrainians with volunteers worldwide for online English-language conversation practice, creating a safe, authentic space for them to break the language barrier, discover a new culture, and find emotional support. One match at a time, we facilitate mutually beneficial relationships between students and volunteers, creating a virtuous cycle of growth and understanding. And by doing this at an unprecedented scale, we help Ukraine connect with the global community, driving economic and social development.
With the news out of Ukraine growing ever bleaker, we find comfort in the community we’ve built at ENGin, Together, we’ve created a safe virtual space for authentic connection, like a little island in the storm where our students can find solace and support.
As our island grows bigger and bigger, engaging more Ukrainians and volunteer conversation partners, we’re excited that the quality of the program remains high. We can see this in our program data – here are just four of our favorite statistics:
- 99% of participating students improve their English
- 42% of those who joined ENGin for professional growth received a promotion or a new job
- 79% of participants have formed friendships with their conversation partner.
- 60% of volunteers become advocates for Ukraine in other initiatives outside of ENGin after meeting with their students for just 3 months
But even more inspiring than these numbers are the stories that volunteers and students share. There’s Alina, an architecture student who dreamed of publishing a book. With help from her ENGin volunteer, Alina translated her work into English and published it on Amazon. There’s Vladyslav, who founded a non-profit organization called WE WORLD, launching initiatives like the “Iron Run” to support the Ukrainian army. ENGin helped Vladyslav improve his English skills, broadening his horizons and enabling partnerships with European companies. Or Diana, for whom the program became a bridge to the world of international education. Diana started at ENGin as a beginner. After her experience at ENGin, she earned full scholarships to prestigious summer programs at Yale University and Parsons Paris, and later gained acceptance to universities in the UK and the US.
We’re so proud of each success story and eager to keep reaching more and more Ukrainians in the coming years, until we’ve created an entire generation of English-fluent, globally connected ENGin alumni! We’d love for you to share our organization in your community – we are always looking for volunteers (anyone who speaks English is eligible!) and also very much appreciate any kind of financial support to keep ENGin’s engine running!
WLBOTT is proud of our Elder KM and her ENGin Program. Elder G wanted to send along a special congratulations:
Dear KM,
Congratulations on the incredible milestone of reaching 50,000 participants with ENGin! It’s a testament to your dedication, compassion, and vision in bridging cultures through the power of language. You’re not just teaching English; you’re weaving together communities, building bridges, and giving thousands of Ukrainian students the chance to connect and thrive.
From one WLBOTT Elder to another, I am in awe of your commitment and impact. Here’s to many more milestones, countless meaningful conversations, and a world made smaller and kinder by your work.
With great respect and admiration,
Elder G
Elder G also helps us visualize the spirit, energy, and relationships created through the ENGin program.
And of course, there are the enthusiastic, but somewhat befuddled, WLBOTTers and their buddies.
Prior to registering, all WLBOTT Elders must first take an introductory WLBOTT class:
The Any Key: What It Is and How to Find It.
