Meet Anastasia

Anastasi arrived from Ukraine with two young daughters and a strong desire to become financially independent, but her lack of English was a barrier to achieving that goal. Undeterred, she set up a nail studio in her home, but her income was limited because she could only accept Ukrainian-speaking clients.

Anastasia decided to enroll in Project Abraham’s YES English language program and immediately began to acquire the English language skills she needed to expand her business. Individualized lessons meant that she quickly learned how to say, “What nail shape do you prefer?”, “When would you like your next appointment?”, “Where can I find nail supplies?” and “What time does the store close?” 

Role-playing activities allowed her to simulate conversations with customers, preparing her to answer questions and offer her services to a wider audience.

Anastasia has now updated her advertising materials to include English, learned how to explain her pricing and services clearly, and developed scripts for common client interactions. Anastasia’s small home studio is flourishing. English-speaking clients rave about her attention to detail, while her loyal Ukrainian-speaking clients celebrate her success as a reflection of their shared cultural resilience.

In addition, Anastasia has learned the vocabulary she needs to attend parent-teacher meetings.  She has successfully asked questions like, “How are my daughters adjusting to the curriculum?”, and “What can I do to support their learning at home?”. She can now read school newsletters, follow instructions from teachers, and help her daughters with homework– all in English. These moments were transformative for Anastasia, making her feel fully integrated into her children’s lives and our local community.