Ukrainian teens spending part of summer in Central Florida

CASSELBERRY, Fla. — Ten teenagers from war-torn parts of Ukraine are spending part of the summer in Central Florida, where they are getting a temporary break from the fighting at home and could eventually attend school in Central Florida.

The teens arrived in Central Florida in late June from some of the hardest-hit war zones in Ukraine.

They are in the U.S. until the end of July, with visits to theme parks and the beach planned during their stay.

“It’s more peaceful than in Ukraine because in Ukraine it’s scary — there are rockets like every day in my hometown,” said Anna Los, a Ukraine resident.

For some of the teens, reminders of the war remain even while they are thousands of miles from home.

“When I hear the fireworks or something like that, I remember the war in Ukraine and I’m frightened by that, but it’s so cool that I’m here now,” said Max Bondarenko, a Ukraine resident.

The trip was organized by Elvira Varyvoda, the founder of Varyvoda Christian Academy in Orlando.

The private school, which opened in 2023, serves about 40 students, many from Ukraine and some from Central Florida as well.

People can apply for enrollment to the school on their website. Varyvoda said she has spent tens of thousands of dollars of her own money, along with help from donations — many of those from local churches.

“God called me to open the school,” Varyvoda said. “I had a dream, and the dream said to me, ‘Hey, you have to do something that can help these kids.’”

With extended travel visas that allow them to spend six months at a time in the U.S., several of the students hope to eventually attend Varyvoda Christian Academy.

For now, the focus is on giving them time away from the conflict.

“Here there is lots of rollercoasters, pools and … it’s so beautiful,” Bondarenko said. “The nature is beautiful — it’s fantastic.”

The fighting in Ukraine remains on the minds of the teens. Recently, Ukraine has made gains by striking parts of Russia’s capital, Moscow, while Ukraine continues to take hits as well from Russia. Several of the teens have lost parents.

“A painful thing for me — I don’t want to speak about it,” said Mark Nedotanoe, a Ukraine resident.

It remains unclear when the war will end, but Bondarenko said his hope is simple.

“I want to live in peace,” he said.