“As russia destroys school buildings, it is crucial that we do not allow the essence of education to be destroyed with them,” said Anna Loza, Education Program Coordinator at the East SOS team

Born and raised in Zhytomyr, Anna moved to Kyiv when she entered a university. There she began her professional career. She joined the East SOS team with a background in analytics, project management for countering disinformation, and youth development training.

In her role within the education program, Anna analyzes the needs of both formal and informal education in Ukraine. Together with her team, she runs support programs and projects for the frontline hromadas (communities).

“I joined the East SOS team because I believe that in times of war, the right to education cannot be just a statement. It must be realized every day by creating safe learning environments and providing access to quality knowledge, even under the most challenging circumstances,” says Anna.

Her daily motivation comes from a strong sense of responsibility to her homeland as it fights every day for its very right to exist.

The expert is convinced that education is the cornerstone of national resilience:

“As russia destroys school buildings, it is crucial that we do not allow the essence of education to be destroyed with them.”

For Anna, success is not about flawless reports, but the real changes brought about by the team’s work, such us educational support projects that address real needs of hromadas and quality assistance that makes a meaningful difference in the lives of teachers and students. And at the same time, it is about the simple, everyday things, like the smiles on children’s faces and their desire to learn and grow, despite everything they have been through during the war.

For Anna, the hardest part of her work is witnessing the staggering scale of the losses inflicted on Ukraine’s education system by russia. At the same time, the most inspiring part is the gratitude of our participants, which keeps driving the team’s initiatives, along with the spark of joy in children’s eyes.
Above all, Anna’s greatest dream is Ukraine’s victory.

Her deepest hope is for every family to be reunited with their loved ones returning from the frontlines and captivity, for families to be together again, and for the heavy toll of loss to finally stop growing with the names of fallen defenders.

To learn more about our ongoing education projects, please visit the official website via this link.