For International Women’s Day, the Swisscontact EdUP project highlights a woman who inspires the entire project team to work with dedication and instills hope for the future.
We introduce Tetiana Horbunova, an expert in prior learning recognition within the EdUP project. She shared her story, spoke about her work at Swisscontact, and emphasized the importance of supporting women in their professions.
"If you ask me who a modern Ukrainian woman is, I will say: she is a phoenix, one who burns in trials but rises even stronger."
Tetiana firmly believes that the war has made women stronger and revealed their full potential. However, for her and many other Ukrainian women forced to leave their homes in the occupied territories and start over, this journey has been particularly difficult.
The Path to Swisscontact: A New Beginning
Before 2022, when the war began, Tetiana Horbunova worked as a teacher and vocational training teacher at a vocational school in Lysychansk. The war forced her to leave her home, leaving behind friends, colleagues, and part of the family. She recalls that the hardest part was starting from scratch—finding housing, a job, and adapting to a new environment. But the greatest loss of all was the death of her husband in the war.
"It is a pain that cannot be put into words. But I must stay strong for my two sons. They are my greatest motivation. I want them to have a decent future."
Swisscontact as a Source of Support and Development
Tetiana has been collaborating with Swisscontact since 2020. Initially, she participated in EdUP project training sessions as a teacher. In 2023, she officially joined the team. Within the project, she organizes conferences, seminars, and training sessions, coordinates professional skills competitions, and helps implement educational programs for adult learners.
"The most inspiring thing is seeing real changes—how vocational schools gain new opportunities, how teachers grow professionally, and how students secure good jobs."
Swisscontact supports its employees not only professionally but also during life’s most challenging moments. The foundation helped Tetiana with housing arrangements, provided a flexible work schedule, and offered psychological support during a difficult period.
"This is more than just a team—it is a community of people who understand the value of support and development."
Motivation
Tetiana finds motivation in her family, her work, and the awareness that she is contributing to an important cause. She also has an unyielding drive to move forward.
"Every morning, I tell myself: Act, or nothing will change! Even a small step forward can change the course of the journey."
