The then 12-year-old Daniil Danylov arrived in the Czech Republic in the spring of 2022, after the start of the war in Ukraine. He lives with his family in Pilsen, where he also studies at the local František Křižík Gymnasium. It was also at school that he first heard about DOFE. Today Daniil is already fulfilling the gold level after the bronze level and is also a DOFE ambassador.
How did you first learn about DOFE?
It was at school. My teacher first told me about DOFE. Then the program was also introduced to us by two dofaces who had already completed the bronze level. So I decided to join.
What attracted you to DOFE?
Mainly that the programme aims to push its boundaries. And then also the opportunity to learn something new, gain new experiences and contacts.
We first met at the ceremony when you completed your bronze level. What did you do on it?
I chose programming as a skill, which I improved a lot in because I started from scratch. In terms of movement, I took up calisthenics, which is weight training with my own weight. My goal was to get better at four exercises, and I did.
As part of my volunteer work, I used to work for the non-profit organization Blízký soused in Pilsen, where I tutored children from socially disadvantaged backgrounds, mostly Romani children. I went on trips with them, helped at various events as a volunteer, and I was also with them at camp.
Dofacs and dofacs from Ukraine
Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine (24 February 2022), 181 young people with Ukrainian nationality have joined the DOFE in the Czech Republic.
What did you learn about yourself while completing the DOFE?
I've definitely found that if I want to get better at something, it's good to have a goal. That helps me, without it sometimes I get lost.
Do you use it in your everyday life now?
It has definitely helped me a lot in everyday life, especially in school. When I have to study for a test, I no longer tell myself that I „have“ to learn it. Instead, I first figure out what I already know and what I'm not good at yet. And from there, I set a specific goal - what I need to learn and improve. Then I schedule my learning for a few days, for example. That way, I don't learn haphazardly and jump from one thing to another, but I have a system. And that's what gives me more confidence and peace of mind and helps me save a lot of time.
Daniil (first from right) volunteering for DOFE at the British Embassy event in Pilsen.
What is your strongest experience related to DOFE?
I should definitely mention my expedition. At the bronze level, it was a one-night expedition. But I decided to join a group of dofaks who were doing the gold level, so I went with them for three nights and four days.
We went to Sumava, it was hiking. I really enjoyed it. I had never been in such an environment and now I suddenly had to go four days without access to civilization, we cooked our own food. So it was really challenging for me.
Now you're meeting the gold standard. What activities have you chosen?
In the skill of reading, I want to read 18 books in Czech. Movement is the same as bronze level, I'm doing calisthenics. But I've set even higher goals to improve. And I'm still volunteering for the Near Neighbor organization. I see that what I do there is meaningful. So I want to keep doing that.
You came to the Czech Republic from Ukraine. Did DOFE help you to get more oriented here?
I'm sure it is. For me, it was one of the best ways to meet new people and get better oriented.
When I got involved in volunteering, I met a lot of people that I still see today. I met other Dophaks at the ceremony and went on the expedition with people I didn't know before. As a result, I have many more contacts and friendships today that I probably wouldn't have had without DOFE.
I think DOFE is a really great community. You can find a good team there for different projects and most of the dofaks are people who have goals in life and are hardworking. That motivates me a lot. When I meet someone from DOFE today, I automatically see a person who wants to work on themselves and can stick with everything until the end.
Daniil (fourth from the right) also spoke about his DOFE journey during a meeting of young active people with President Petr Pavel and his wife Eva. Photo: Zuzana Bönisch
If you had to give one reason why you would recommend other people to join DOFE, what would it be?
I would definitely mention that you can find a great group there, new friends.
What are your plans now, not only within DOFE?
I would definitely like to complete the gold level. At the same time I want to finish high school and then go on to college, probably in Prague.
But I would like to stay part of DOFE in the future, I could help as a leader. There is still a small community in Pilsen, so I would like to develop and expand it further.
I would like to continue volunteering after I finish the program, as DOFE has made me realize that helping others is really important and meaningful to me.
