In September last year, I joined the ENGin programme, in which I assist Ukrainians seeking to expand their English vocabulary by simply talking to them. One such person I have the pleasure of speaking with is Natalia.

Kelley Peel remembers the moment clearly when she was sitting at home in West Michigan, scrolling through the news and seeing another headline about Ukraine, another image of a family saying goodbye at a train station, another story of a life interrupted and a home destroyed. She couldn't look away, but she also couldn't sit still. So she asked herself: "What can a normal person do for Ukraine?"

In 2023, I had just completed my studies and suddenly found myself with a lot of spare time on my hands. I started searching for volunteer opportunities online, and I saw someone mention that they taught English to Ukrainians online through ENGin.

It’s Saturday morning. I turn off my alarm and momentarily turn back around, allowing myself the luxury of another half hour. But then I remember why my alarm went off. It’s Saturday morning.