Displaced from their homes in Ukraine, high school students now call Albuquerque ‘home’
by Menaul School | Special to Presbyterian News Service
Menaul School is a PC(USA)-related international boarding school in Albuquerque, New Mexico. (Photo courtesy of Menaul School)
ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico — Menaul School, in cooperation with two global non-profit agencies, Spiritual Orphans Network (SON) and This Child Here, announced last month that the school has received six Ukrainian students as part of ongoing war relief efforts.
Mostly from the eastern, occupied regions of Ukraine, four girls and two boys in grades 10-12 now call Albuquerque “home” as part of Menaul School’s international boarding school program.
“Sometimes we ask ourselves, what difference does helping only six students out of 44 million lives disrupted in Ukraine make in the long run? Then we stop and ask the students and their families. They all say, ‘You have made all the difference in the word for us.’ It is pretty humbling to realize that all any of us can do is respond in the moment to the opportunities placed right in front of us. This was one of those moments,” said Pastor David Breidenbach, Executive Director of Spiritual Orphans Network.
It all started with a phone call made by the Rev. Dr. Robert Gamble, Executive Director of This Child Here. He contacted Menaul School as part of the same network of nonprofits associated with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). This Child Here was formed in 2007 in order to serve vulnerable and orphaned children throughout Ukraine.
The Rev. Dr. Robert Gamble
Gamble said, “On February 24, 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine. All our work now is with families, mostly mothers and children who are displaced by this war. If you look at our posts under ‘Latest News and Images’ you will see the specifics of how we are addressing the problems of shock and trauma.”
Part of addressing these issues is identifying students with strong academic ability and language skills to pursue and complete their studies in the United States. This is why Menaul School is such a good fit.
As the only fulltime international boarding school in Albuquerque, and representing more than 20 countries, Menaul is unique in its World Smart Education. At the same time, its 129-year history means Menaul School is firmly rooted in the unique New Mexico culture and traditions.
Gamble was soon put in contact with Breidenbach, as Spiritual Orphans Network also works in Ukraine and many of its bordering, former Soviet bloc nations. It also happened that when Gamble called, Breidenbach was serving as Interim President and Head of Menaul School. Menaul now has a new permanent President and Head of School, Dr. Julie Bean.
Founded as an independent Lutheran Church-associated ministry in 1992, Spiritual Orphans Network started a Ukraine relief fund soon after the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The fund has allowed thousands of Ukrainians to receive help in the forms of transportation, food, medicine, heaters, generators, relocation, and housing assistance. Additionally, hundreds of Ukrainian refugees have been able to establish new lives during an unfathomable time.
By combining efforts and support dollars, This Child Here and Spiritual Orphans Network were able to bring all six Ukrainian students to study at Menaul School. The reality of much-needed continuing support is where the general public is being invited to become a part of assuring the Ukrainian students can remain in New Mexico and complete their educations all the way through university.
Joey Gutierrez
“While this initial school year is mostly paid for by donations made through This Child Here and SON, it is our goal to raise $100,000 in order to make sure each Ukrainian student can stay in New Mexico and finish their bachelor’s degree,” said Joey Gutierrez, Foundation Development Director for Menaul School. “Menaul is uniquely positioned to offer a safe and well-established learning environment for both New Mexico and international students to learn, grow, and be nurtured in an academic environment that no other private school in New Mexico can offer. We are like a family that stretches over many generations of Menaul School alumni, both near and around the globe.”
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Menaul School, founded in 1896, is a college preparatory boarding school in Albuquerque, New Mexico. As Albuquerque’s oldest private school, Menaul has been shaping students to be global leaders for 129 years. To learn more about Menaul School or to schedule a tour, go here.
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