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There are decisions a business makes for quick results “here and now.” And there are those that lay a foundation for decades ahead and define the very meaning of your work. Almost always this means stepping outside your comfort zone: you have to invest today, with no guarantees of peace of mind, while the fruits of that investment will only be visible much later.
This is exactly the kind of bold step taken by Valentyna Halushchak, founder and director of the private lyceum “Collegium EARS” in Lutsk, in 2025.
When a School Outgrows Its Own Walls
The story of “Collegium EARS” is a story of organic growth. The institution was created as a space for quality, safe, and modern education, yet with each year the demand from parents and children only grew.
“At a certain point we realized that the school had simply outgrown the space where it began its journey,” shares Valentyna Halushchak. “I sincerely wanted our students not to have to look for other institutions for high school, but to be able to stay with us all the way through graduation. For the school to grow together with them. So we bought the plot of land next to the existing building and began construction.”
For the founder, the lyceum is far more than just square meters or a curriculum. It is an environment of trust and development:
“Collegium EARS” is about a safe, humane, and modern space. Here a child doesn’t just learn academic subjects. They learn to think critically, make conscious choices, take responsibility for their own actions, understand themselves, and find their place in the wider world.”
Building During Wartime: A Challenge Turned into Action
Deciding to undertake capital construction at a time when it’s hard to predict even the next month is a test of resilience. Spikes in construction material prices, labor shortages, logistical disruptions, and constant anxiety about safety — every day the team had to find unconventional solutions.
One of the main priorities of the new building became a full-fledged, reliable shelter, designed to the highest civil defense standards. After all, children’s safety during wartime is the most important thing.
Scaling up the project became possible thanks to preferential lending from Bank Lviv under the state program “Affordable Loans 5-7-9%.”
A New Home for 250 Students
Today the new building has already been constructed. The space is designed for 230–250 students and includes spacious classrooms, laboratories, recreation areas, and co-working spaces for teachers.
“Today, looking at the walls we’ve raised, I see not just concrete and brick. I see a new home for children and teachers, a place of strength and further growth for the school,” notes Valentyna. “Entrepreneurship, for me, is always about responsibility and unwavering faith in your own cause. We continue to build and invest because we firmly believe in our children, in education, and in the future of Ukraine.”
The story of “Collegium EARS” proves that even in the darkest times, investing in the future generation is the most far-sighted and right decision a Ukrainian business can make.