Alisa Lavrenchenko fled Kyrgyzstan and has now been nominated for an award
At the age of 16, Alisa Lavrenchenko fled to the Netherlands with her mother. She is now taking a Master’s in Russian and Eurasian Studies at Leiden University. For her support of Ukrainian refugees, she has earned a nomination for the UAF Award for refugees and their professional and academic achievements.
For many refugees it is really hard to study or continue their studies in the Netherlands or to find work that matches their education and experience. Not only does this affect their self-esteem and development but it also hinders their integration into Dutch society. At the same time, with the labour market as tight as it is, there is a pool of untapped labour potential that includes refugees. It is important to both refugees and the Netherlands to make the best use of refugees’ knowledge and experience.
With its annual award, the UAF refugee organisation showcases refugees’ knowledge, talent and perseverance. From the thousands of refugees that the UAF supports, dozens were nominated for the award. From these, six were selected for their academic and professional achievements and their social engagement.
Alisa from Leiden is one of the nominees
One of the nominees is Alisa Lavrenchenko (1994), who lives and studies in Leiden. She was 16 when she had to flee Kyrgyzstan with her mother. ‘I left everything behind, all my friendships, everything I knew.’ She ended up in Winsum and took a Bachelor’s degree in European languages and cultures at the University of Groningen. ‘The UAF pointed me in the right direction, with personal conversations and sometimes practical things like travel expenses and textbooks.’
‘I’d love to build cultural bridges. Bring art from Central Asia here and vice versa’
Alisa is currently taking the Master’s in Russian and Eurasian Studies at Leiden University. When war broke out in Ukraine, she decided to put her studies on hold. ‘My family originally comes from there.’ She now works at the Municipality of Delft supporting Ukrainian refugees in various ways. Her dream for the future? ‘I’d love to build cultural bridges. Bring art from Central Asia here and vice versa.’
The UAF Award is being presented for the ninth time this year to a refugee student or professional who has made an exceptional contribution to their field and society. The prize symbolises refugees’ ability and dedication to building a new future in the Netherlands.
Voting for the nominees is open until 3 November. The award will be presented on Tuesday 8 November.
Text: Jasper Vink
Photos: via UAF