A charitable IT-Quest for teens: real practice and first projects by Bookford and Vchasno

What happens when you give a teenager a few days of hands-on experience, new friendships, and some room for self-expression? They begin to explore, experiment, create — and most importantly — believe they are capable of more. That was the spirit of IT-QUEST, a charitable educational initiative organized by Bookford, an IT school for children and teenagers, in partnership with Vchasno, a digital solutions service.

This project aimed not only to teach but also to inspire. To show that the world of IT isn’t some distant, unreachable concept — it’s close, accessible, and open to everyone, regardless of their background. Most importantly, it encouraged teens to see themselves as part of that world.

This time, 59 children from across Ukraine took part. The four-day quest focused on three directions: Web Design, Front-End, and Back-End Development. Participants learned new skills, worked with mentors, tested their strengths in tech, and developed their first projects.

“Our goal wasn’t to teach everything in four days. We wanted to show these teens that they have choices, that they matter, and that they are capable of much more. Education is a starting point — it builds confidence and gives the strength to shape your own future. What made this quest truly successful is that the kids didn’t just sit and listen—they explored, created, asked questions, and searched for answers themselves,” — Bohdan Danylko, Head of B2B at Bookford & Hillel IT School.

The initiative was held in collaboration with Vchasno and brought together youth from four charitable foundations: Children of Heroes, Daruiemo Radiist (Spreading Joy), Ridni, and SOS Children’s Villages.

“At Vchasno, we strive not just to build digital tools but to give young people a real insight into how the IT industry works. We believe that connecting with real people and stories in tech helps teens see their potential, appreciate the power of digitalization, and realize that a successful career can be built right here, in Ukraine,” — Anton Skokov, Head of Vchasno.

Each participant took something unique from the experience. Some took their first steps in coding or design; others experienced true teamwork for the first time. For many, IT became a powerful internal discovery:

“This quest introduced me to the world of IT! I learned about UX/UI design, game development, robotics, and so much more. It was exciting, educational, and full of energy. I also met amazing people. It truly inspired me and gave me a boost of new knowledge,” — Oleksandra Vynnyk, participant of the IT-QUEST initiative.

Bookford, the IT school for children and teens, was launched this year by the team behind Hillel IT School. Its mission is to provide access to high-quality tech education from an early age — not through rote memorization, but through curiosity, hands-on projects, mentoring, and a thoughtfully designed curriculum. The school’s goal is to show young people that IT is not just for the “chosen ones,” but for anyone who wants to explore, invent, and build the future with their own hands.