Hi I am Sofiia Kochubeinyk I am 18 years old and right now I am at Sunnydale Adventist Academy, I am collecting funds for my tuition fees for Andrews Adventist University so I can pursue the path of physical therapy and continue my education. But anyway, to tell my story I have to go back to when I left Ukraine in 2022. I stepped into a new and unfamiliar chapter of my life. I was fourteen, learning to adapt to a new country, a new school, and a new language. While that transition shaped me, it also helped me start thinking more seriously about my future and the kind of impact I want to have on others.

As I explored different paths, I became especially inspired by the ways people were helping those affected by the war in Ukraine. I felt a special connection with the medical field because my mom is a doctor and she is working in military right now. My father is working for a company that helps build hospitals. I spent time looking into different kinds of work, and one area stood out to me the most—physical therapy. I saw how physical therapists help people rebuild their lives after injuries, guiding them step by step back to their routines, their jobs, and even the sports they love. That idea stayed with me.

What draws me to physical therapy is not just the medical side, but the personal connection. It’s about encouraging someone when they feel stuck, helping them regain confidence, and being part of their progress. I want to be the person who helps someone stand again after they thought they couldn’t. I want to work hands-on, support people emotionally, and see real change in their lives over time.

My own experiences with sports, especially volleyball, have also shaped this passion.I understand how important movement, strength, and recovery are, and how much it means to be able to do something you love. That’s why helping others return to those moments is so meaningful to me.

Now, I am collecting funds for Andrews Adventist University so I can pursue this path and continue my education. Any support would bring me closer to becoming a physical therapist and making a difference in people’s lives.

I truly believe this is where I am being called—to help, to heal, and to give others the chance to get back to living fully. As I take the next step to learn, serve, and grow, I hold on to His promise: “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10)