Making conscious choices from the teenage years
6 prevention topics in schools in Chernivtsi and nearby villages. Lesson length: 45 minutes. In April and May 2026, we held 103 lessons in 12 schools. Funded by the foundation.
Power On is an educational program for schoolchildren about harmful habits, bullying, HIV/AIDS, and healthy relationships. We work in schools in Chernivtsi and nearby villages. We do this officially: the foundation sends a letter to the Education Department of the Chernivtsi City Council, it informs the schools, and then we coordinate dates directly with the school. The head is Ihor Tymko.
Why this is not “just another school lecture.” Teenagers come to their own conclusions about why they should not try it. Through interactive balloon activities, group discussions, and Kahoot quizzes on their phones. Not moralizing, but facts, numbers, and concrete consequences.
Who is included in the program. Students in grades 1–11. For younger children, there is a separate adapted version (“Be a Superhero”) against bullying. For older students, topics include healthy relationships, the 5 love languages, and the consequences of sex before marriage.
Where we already work. In April and May 2026, the team held 103 lessons in 12 schools in Chernivtsi and nearby villages. That is at least 2,500 students. One lesson means one class in one school, lasting 45 minutes. The most active partner school, Chernivtsi Gymnasium No. 17, hosted 27 lessons. Schools invite us back, and that is the best sign that the format works.
How much it costs. One lesson delivered simultaneously in five classes, with five speakers working, costs UAH 5,200: travel 2,000, speakers’ work 2,500, materials and prizes for children 700. That comes to UAH 1,040 per class. In April and May 2026, UAH 109,200 was spent. The program is funded exclusively by the foundation; for now, there are no external grants or donors for Power On. The plan for the 2026/27 school year is $4 200, that is, 140 classes at $30.
The teacher or class chooses from 6 topics. All follow the same format: short theory → discussion → Kahoot quiz → a small prize. Presentations are updated every year.
Regular cigarettes, e-cigarettes, snus, hookah. Why formaldehyde in vapes is not safer than smoke. How much money a smoker "burns" — and what that money could buy in a year.
Interactive activity: "48 hours after quitting" + cost comparison.
▶ Try the Kahoot quizThe myth that "beer isn't alcohol." Fusel oils. Why even 50 ml already kills brain cells. How REVO and energy drinks exhaust a teenager's heart — real cases.
Interactive activity: "blow up the balloon — make it burst" (a smoker's lungs).
▶ Try the Kahoot quiz4 types: physical, verbal, isolation, cyber. What the victim feels (sadness · fear · pain). 3 clear steps: "I don't like this" → an adult → those who love you.
A separate adapted version for grades 1–4 — the concept is "Be a superhero": a superhero is someone who helps.
Interactive activity: "impulse game" — the class holds hands and passes a squeeze. Whoever breaks it is the one who "bullies."
▶ Kahoot for grades 1–4HIV vs AIDS (a difference people often confuse). 3 stages of the disease. Real ways it is transmitted — and all the everyday myths about how it is NOT transmitted. Modern therapy reduces the mother→child risk to 1–2%.
Interactive activity: "guess — transmitted or not" (32 situations).
▶ Try the Kahoot quizReal love vs infatuation. 5 languages: words · quality time · acts · gifts · touch. Why sex before marriage is harmful — without moralizing, through consequences. A test for true love.
For upper grades. The most requested topic of the 2026 season.
▶ Try the Kahoot quizThis topic is actively being developed. Schools are still cautious about including it in the school program — we are adapting the methodology so that parents and teachers clearly understand its value.
The presentation + Kahoot will be available after the pilot launch.
One format for all 6 topics. Teens know what comes next — this reduces anxiety and increases engagement.
The speaker introduces themselves, briefly explains who we are and why we are talking about this particular topic.
A short exercise or question that eases awkwardness and gets the class engaged in the conversation.
Key content: numbers, facts, specific cases — without preaching.
Teens do something with their hands or discuss. The topic is absorbed through action.
A game on phones. The questions are tied to the presentation — the class reinforces the material.
The winners of the smoking quiz receive a sweet prize
The 3 Kahoot winners receive sweet prizes. A friendly note to end on.
The program is growing — and we need to retain speakers. In addition to the costs of materials, travel, and prizes, we add team compensation, so people can dedicate real time to the program, not just do it "in their free hour."
≈ $1,830 / month · ≈ $14,640 for 8 school months
Why are we adding compensation? Right now, speakers are giving their time during their vacation. To scale up, this needs to become full-time work, not a charitable add-on to their main job.
This is the intensity of the 2026 school cycle. Schools themselves invite us back, and that is the best sign that the format works.
Most active partner school
Two repeat camp sessions
All main topics
The breakdown above shows the first six schools, totaling 75 lessons as of May 5. In total, in April and May 2026, the team delivered 103 lessons in 12 schools: Kitsman Lyceum 1, Kitsman Lyceum 2, Mamayivtsi Lyceum, Lashkivka Gymnasium, Rynhach Gymnasium, Chernivtsi Gymnasiums 3, 13, 16, and 17, Chernivtsi Lyceum 3, Chernivtsi Lyceum 19, Chernivtsi Military Sports Lyceum.
We do not disappear after a child returns home. Regular meetings help keep the connection alive — pizza, tea, conversations about what matters. The latest meetings were in Kitsman.
The last lesson of the season was held on May 28, 2026, at Chernivtsi Military Sports Lyceum. The program is on pause during the school holidays. We plan to continue in the new school year in schools in Chernivtsi and nearby villages.
"You are doing very important work.
— Teacher at a partner school
"Students respond better to information from speakers because you present it in a vivid, positive way — and with treats.
— Teacher at a partner school
Four stories that stayed with the speakers after meetings in 2025–2026. The names are real — published with consent.
Moments from different visits — classroom, interactive activities, prizes for Kahoot winners.
All speakers are volunteers with a background in education or psychology. Each leads 1–2 topics they know best.
“Every endeavor has a beginning — and every endeavor has a continuation.”
She always understands and listens to a child, and sees their feelings and heart.
Helps young people make conscious choices and promotes a healthy lifestyle.
A true friend to all children.
Knows how to capture a moment in a photo.
Really loves connecting with children.
Will handle all administrative matters responsibly.
Want us to come to your school or class? Write to us — we tailor the topic to the age group.
Real moments from prevention sessions in schools. Teenagers listen, discuss, play, win — and go home with a decision.
Choose the amount, currency, and type - then proceed to payment.
Every hryvnia means new sessions in new schools. Every volunteer means more children who will hear an adult.
