A Ukrainian university community is honoring a student and her family through a scholarship fund. Daryna Bazylevych, an 18-year-old second-year student, and her family tragically lost their lives in a Russian missile strike on Lviv on September 4, 2024. Daryna was studying culture at the Ukrainian Catholic University (UCU).
After this terrible event, her father, Yaroslav, alongside UCU and the Plast National Scout Organization, established a scholarship to support future students. As of now, this fund has raised over $163,000, surpassing their original goal of $100,000. Donations have poured in from various regions, with significant contributions from Ukraine and Europe, totaling nearly $92,000, and the U.S. raising about $62,300.
Daryna was remembered fondly by those who knew her. UCU’s assistant professor of culture studies, Marta Kuziy, described her as “a very shining, joyful girl.” A friend, Erika Dzhymshyashvili, shared a story about Daryna’s unwavering spirit during a hike in the Carpathians, highlighting her determination despite challenges.
Tragically, Daryna is not alone in this loss. Many UCU students have been killed since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in 2022. This conflict has had devastating consequences, with reports identifying it as a genocide. For example, on the same day as Daryna’s death, another UCU student who had been fighting was also laid to rest.
The scholarship not only keeps Daryna’s memory alive but also provides essential support. Already, it has funded scholarships for two students in the culture studies program. Daryna once shared her gratitude for those supporting her education, expressing her readiness to face future challenges.
As Ukraine continues to endure the impact of the conflict, initiatives like this scholarship highlight resilience and hope. The community’s response shows their commitment to honoring lost lives while empowering future generations to follow their dreams.
For more information on the ongoing situation in Ukraine, you can refer to reports by the New Lines Institute and the Raoul Wallenberg Center for Human Rights.
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