Let’s meet Olga Kryuchkova (Visit an external site. The link opens in a new tab.) who has been a Neighbourhood Mother since 2021. Olga is originally from Moscow. She moved to Lappeenranta 5 years ago to study. Olga has obtained a Master’s degree in Global Management of Innovation and Technology (GMIT) at LUT University. She has been actively involved in organizing and supporting various initiatives aimed to empower adults, especially women, from diverse cultural and social backgrounds. These activities have primarily focused on building essential skills and fostering integration into the Finnish society. Let’s hear what Olga tells about herself!
Can you tell about your first work experiences in Finland?
My first work experience in Finland was linked with digital transformation project in Fortum. This experience gave me an understanding of the specifics of working in a large international Finnish organization and helped me get my first Finnish work connections and recommendations. I also participated in two projects at the LUT University, related to e-learning courses. They were focused on the development of the so-called ‘Train the trainer’ course, as well as the development of educational materials for children’s courses in robotics, IoT, 3D-printing and Scratch programming, collecting, analyzing and visualizing data from different resources, filling projects documentation.
With nearly 95% of Finns using the internet and high-speed connections widely accessible, digital skills are a cornerstone of daily life.
What kind of activities you have done to hel women in developing their digital literacy skills?
When I was writing my master’s thesis, I was invited to South Karelia civil college EKKO (Etelä-Karjalan kansalaisopisto) to develop the implementation of Digital Literacy course ‘Myö, työ ja digitaidot’ and development of e-learning courses for adults. As we know, Finland is a global leader in digital literacy, integrating it into the national curriculum from an early age, where students learn coding, media literacy, and critical evaluation of digital content. With nearly 95% of Finns using the internet and high-speed connections widely accessible, digital skills are a cornerstone of daily life. Hence the importance of the EKKO course. It was conducted throughout the year and included both group classes and individual consultations, therefore helped participants be more confident with technology.
My main role in the course was to support participants during the sessions and help ensure a productive learning environment. This experience allowed me to appreciate the importance of digital skills in boosting confidence and opening up new opportunities for personal and professional development. The workshop focused on supporting women select and organize information that best represented their individual strengths.
What kinds of activities have you hosted as a Neighbourhood Mother?
I have contributed to a CV writing workshop, thanks to the support of current regional coordinator Valentine Mukundwa (Visit an external site. The link opens in a new tab.) of Neighbourhood Mothers in Lappeenranta where they have guided participants in creating visually appealing and professional resumes. The workshop focused on supporting women select and organize information that best represented their individual strengths. My role included introducing tools for crafting impactful CVs and assisting participants in refining their resumes. This workshop was aimed for women from diverse cultural backgrounds. Through this initiative, I gained a deeper understanding of the difficulties migrants face in presenting their skills effectively and the importance of tailored support.
I have also supported the Finnish Speaking Club, known as Puhutaan suomea, which was initiated by Neighbourhood Mother Valeria Schriemer (Visit an external site. The link opens in a new tab.). This club provided a welcoming environment for migrant women to practice Finnish language skills. My responsibility was to promote the club among migrant women attending integration courses and encourage their participation. This initiative reinforced for me how vital language skills are in helping individuals integrate into society and highlighted the common aspirations or challenges shared by women from different cultural contexts.
How and why did you become a Neighbourhood Mother?
During Covid I was missing both interaction with other people and lacked information about certain aspects of life in Finland. I saw an invitation to an online introductory course from Neighborhood Mothers and applied. Coordinator Mariia Kostiainen (Visit an external site. The link opens in a new tab.) contacted me and I joined the training. On a warm Mid-June day in 2021, we had a graduation ceremony celebrating this milestone. During and after the course, I participated in various events organized by Neighborhood Mothers where I have met many wonderful women with different interests and with whom I spent a lot of time with. Some of them became friends and now we communicate regularly and share the progress in our lives.
What has been the most important thing in being a Neighbourhood Mother?
Being a Neighborhood Mother has been a rewarding experience due to the sense of belonging the community creates. As foreigners, we often face similar challenges, from understanding local systems to feeling isolated. Neighbourhood Mothers are a reminder that you’re never alone and there’s always a solution when having the right people around you.
For me, one of the most empowering aspects of being a Neighbourhood Mother is the peer support. Whether it’s learning how to book a doctor appointment, figuring out the paperwork maze or tackling everyday tasks, we pool our knowledge and resources. If one of us doesn’t know the answer, someone else will. Together, Neighbourhood Mothers always find a way forward.
Another wonderful aspect is the friendships we build. Through the program, I’ve met amazing women who share similar experiences. We exchange tips and ideas which often make life simpler and more manageable. For example, during one of our sessions, I learned a quick way to navigate healthcare appointments, a small but significant tip that eased a lot of stress.
What was your experience of Neighbourhood Mothers training?
I think the Neighbourhood Mothers training provides a safe space to share experiences and learn from each other. It is not only about solving problems but also about supporting each other emotionally. Knowing that someone understands your journey is comforting, so I would definitely encourage other women to attend Neighbourhood Mothers trainings. The training gives you practical skills, emotional support and a network of people who genuinely care. You will also learn about the help available in Finland. You will learn about resources you may not have known existed.
“One of the things I like about Neighbourhood Ideas is how it empowers you to help others”
One of the things I love about Neighbourhood Mothers is how it empowers you to help others. When we gain knowledge, we can pass it on and make a difference in our community. It’s inspiring to see how small acts can create a positive impact.
On a personal note, being a Neighbourhood Mother has allowed me to use my hobbies and passions in new ways. I am a lover of a variety of craft activities. I like to give old things a new life and make something useful out of them – from clothes to home furniture. That’s why I started a felt craft course at the Kalasatama Free City Living Room (REDI). I am excited to share this with others. Felt crafts are not only relaxing, but also a great way to express creativity, meet people and make new friends. I can’t wait to see what we create!
Olga’s felt crafts course has started! Welcome to join the felt crafts course on Fridays at 10.30-11.30 in the Vapaakaupunki Olohuone in the REDI shopping centre. See the event here.
