My perspective was influenced by my father’s conviction that a better future for Ukraine is achieved not by waiting for something to happen but by the direct action of people themselves.

 Peter Jacyk often emphasized that Ukrainians can and should influence and elevate the world’s perception of Ukraine and therefore themselves. To achieve this, one must not only confine their education and work to themselves but strive to reach higher and outward so as to learn from others, implement this wisdom and embrace progress and change.

Accordingly, the main mandate of the Petro Jacyk Education Foundation has been and continues to be the support of Ukrainian education programs at renowned universities; in other words, the support of academia, students and professors who work in fields relevant to Ukraine and Ukrainians as well as the institutions that house them. This creates the vehicle for spreading knowledge about Ukraine universally and at the same time helps to develop further Ukrainian scholarly potential.

 Large projects require large investments, both administrative and financial. Yet significant projects have better longevity and impact on many more people. Even when the founders of such projects have passed, people continue to benefit from the successes of these established programs. Our lives are measured by our actions – the life of a nation is measured by the achievements of its people.

 It is our hope that the work of the Petro Jacyk Education Foundation will continue to impact the world and thus will allow us to take pride in a highly respected Ukraine. In so doing, the strong and clear vision which the founder of this charitable foundation and my father, Peter (Petro) Jacyk held… continues.

Nadia Jacyk