Sandi
@sansan.bsky.social
Principal scientist (biotechnology/regenerative medicine/cell biology)
Founder of @balakunua.bsky.social
Billy’s human. Read stories from Balakun on Medium: https://medium.com/balakun
Founder of @balakunua.bsky.social
Billy’s human. Read stories from Balakun on Medium: https://medium.com/balakun
Pinned
Sandi
@sansan.bsky.social
· Dec 6
Today is #International_Volunteers_Day and we want to say thank you to all our amazing volunteers across this globe without you #Balakun would it be as successful as we are
I wish I could name each and every one of you but you know who you are.
#Thank_you so much! 💙💛💙💛
#Ukraine
I wish I could name each and every one of you but you know who you are.
#Thank_you so much! 💙💛💙💛
#Ukraine
the words `` thank you '' are surrounded by watercolor hearts .
ALT: the words `` thank you '' are surrounded by watercolor hearts .
media.tenor.com
Thank you to all the amazing people who make @balakunua.bsky.social work!
Reposted by Sandi
Today, I spent five hours translating an open-air museum tour for my friend, Sandi Dempsey from @balakunua.bsky.social a volunteer from New Zealand.
Once again, I referred to beer as ‘bear’ and called a well ‘wellness.’ Actually, Sandi taught me English, so she trained her own translator.
Once again, I referred to beer as ‘bear’ and called a well ‘wellness.’ Actually, Sandi taught me English, so she trained her own translator.
January 6, 2026 at 9:48 PM
Today, I spent five hours translating an open-air museum tour for my friend, Sandi Dempsey from @balakunua.bsky.social a volunteer from New Zealand.
Once again, I referred to beer as ‘bear’ and called a well ‘wellness.’ Actually, Sandi taught me English, so she trained her own translator.
Once again, I referred to beer as ‘bear’ and called a well ‘wellness.’ Actually, Sandi taught me English, so she trained her own translator.
My adventure begins!
First stop drop off the dog. She seems fine!
Next stop Canada!
First stop drop off the dog. She seems fine!
Next stop Canada!
December 7, 2025 at 9:02 AM
My adventure begins!
First stop drop off the dog. She seems fine!
Next stop Canada!
First stop drop off the dog. She seems fine!
Next stop Canada!
Reposted by Sandi
But this is my favorite picture!!
3/3
День Святого Миколая знаменує початок зимового #святкового сезону в Україні та нагадує всім, що маленькі добрі вчинки можуть творити справжні дива. ✨
З Днем Святого Миколая! 🎁💙💛
День Святого Миколая знаменує початок зимового #святкового сезону в Україні та нагадує всім, що маленькі добрі вчинки можуть творити справжні дива. ✨
З Днем Святого Миколая! 🎁💙💛
December 6, 2025 at 5:10 PM
But this is my favorite picture!!
Reposted by Sandi
2/3
Перед святом діти пишуть листи, сподіваючись, що Святий Миколай залишить солодощі, фрукти або невеликі #подарунки за гарну поведінку під подушками або у взутті. Цей день нагадує про важливість щедрості, підтримки нужденних, продовження дух святого, відомого своєю допомогою бідним.
Перед святом діти пишуть листи, сподіваючись, що Святий Миколай залишить солодощі, фрукти або невеликі #подарунки за гарну поведінку під подушками або у взутті. Цей день нагадує про важливість щедрості, підтримки нужденних, продовження дух святого, відомого своєю допомогою бідним.
December 6, 2025 at 4:56 PM
2/3
Перед святом діти пишуть листи, сподіваючись, що Святий Миколай залишить солодощі, фрукти або невеликі #подарунки за гарну поведінку під подушками або у взутті. Цей день нагадує про важливість щедрості, підтримки нужденних, продовження дух святого, відомого своєю допомогою бідним.
Перед святом діти пишуть листи, сподіваючись, що Святий Миколай залишить солодощі, фрукти або невеликі #подарунки за гарну поведінку під подушками або у взутті. Цей день нагадує про важливість щедрості, підтримки нужденних, продовження дух святого, відомого своєю допомогою бідним.
Congratulations on the day of the Armed Forces of Ukraine!
If St Nicolas could not reach you because of unfriendly flying objects I hope you receive all the gifts you deserve next year and more!
If St Nicolas could not reach you because of unfriendly flying objects I hope you receive all the gifts you deserve next year and more!
December 6, 2025 at 9:02 AM
Congratulations on the day of the Armed Forces of Ukraine!
If St Nicolas could not reach you because of unfriendly flying objects I hope you receive all the gifts you deserve next year and more!
If St Nicolas could not reach you because of unfriendly flying objects I hope you receive all the gifts you deserve next year and more!
Thank you to all the amazing people who make @balakunua.bsky.social work!
Today is #International_Volunteers_Day and we want to say thank you to all our amazing volunteers across this globe without you #Balakun would it be as successful as we are
I wish I could name each and every one of you but you know who you are.
#Thank_you so much! 💙💛💙💛
#Ukraine
I wish I could name each and every one of you but you know who you are.
#Thank_you so much! 💙💛💙💛
#Ukraine
the words `` thank you '' are surrounded by watercolor hearts .
ALT: the words `` thank you '' are surrounded by watercolor hearts .
media.tenor.com
December 6, 2025 at 12:20 AM
Thank you to all the amazing people who make @balakunua.bsky.social work!
Reposted by Sandi
Today is #International_Volunteers_Day and we want to say thank you to all our amazing volunteers across this globe without you #Balakun would it be as successful as we are
I wish I could name each and every one of you but you know who you are.
#Thank_you so much! 💙💛💙💛
#Ukraine
I wish I could name each and every one of you but you know who you are.
#Thank_you so much! 💙💛💙💛
#Ukraine
the words `` thank you '' are surrounded by watercolor hearts .
ALT: the words `` thank you '' are surrounded by watercolor hearts .
media.tenor.com
December 5, 2025 at 10:14 PM
Today is #International_Volunteers_Day and we want to say thank you to all our amazing volunteers across this globe without you #Balakun would it be as successful as we are
I wish I could name each and every one of you but you know who you are.
#Thank_you so much! 💙💛💙💛
#Ukraine
I wish I could name each and every one of you but you know who you are.
#Thank_you so much! 💙💛💙💛
#Ukraine
Starting my vacation today! First step drop off the dog!
Then many many many many many hours in a plane ✈️
And then another plane.
I’m excited, a little nervous. Gonna miss this face! But she will have a great time chasing rabbits
Then many many many many many hours in a plane ✈️
And then another plane.
I’m excited, a little nervous. Gonna miss this face! But she will have a great time chasing rabbits
December 5, 2025 at 7:04 AM
Starting my vacation today! First step drop off the dog!
Then many many many many many hours in a plane ✈️
And then another plane.
I’m excited, a little nervous. Gonna miss this face! But she will have a great time chasing rabbits
Then many many many many many hours in a plane ✈️
And then another plane.
I’m excited, a little nervous. Gonna miss this face! But she will have a great time chasing rabbits
Reposted by Sandi
Я розмовляла з колегою і, як це часто буває, ми почали говорити на тему #борщ. 😋
Почалася справжня дискусія щодо того, чи є борщ #супом!
Дехто вважає, що так, дехто вважає, що ні. Що ви думаєте з цього приводу?
#Україна #Ukrainianviews
#UA
Почалася справжня дискусія щодо того, чи є борщ #супом!
Дехто вважає, що так, дехто вважає, що ні. Що ви думаєте з цього приводу?
#Україна #Ukrainianviews
#UA
December 4, 2025 at 1:21 PM
Я розмовляла з колегою і, як це часто буває, ми почали говорити на тему #борщ. 😋
Почалася справжня дискусія щодо того, чи є борщ #супом!
Дехто вважає, що так, дехто вважає, що ні. Що ви думаєте з цього приводу?
#Україна #Ukrainianviews
#UA
Почалася справжня дискусія щодо того, чи є борщ #супом!
Дехто вважає, що так, дехто вважає, що ні. Що ви думаєте з цього приводу?
#Україна #Ukrainianviews
#UA
Reposted by Sandi
Every day we match #mentors with #Ukrainian students who want to either learn #English for the first time or to improve their English and #November was a great month
Thank you to our matching team and our verification team without you this number wouldn't be possible. Thank you for #volunteering
Thank you to our matching team and our verification team without you this number wouldn't be possible. Thank you for #volunteering
December 2, 2025 at 11:48 AM
Every day we match #mentors with #Ukrainian students who want to either learn #English for the first time or to improve their English and #November was a great month
Thank you to our matching team and our verification team without you this number wouldn't be possible. Thank you for #volunteering
Thank you to our matching team and our verification team without you this number wouldn't be possible. Thank you for #volunteering
Reposted by Sandi
Here's an article from one of our #students; he's in the #AFU and has been a student with us since January 2024
His view from the #frontline
#Ukraine
medium.com/balakun/half...
His view from the #frontline
#Ukraine
medium.com/balakun/half...
Half-drunk coffee
Half-drunk coffee Nazarnazar Here, on clinic floors, another war is raging – a different bloody front with its own acts of bravery, its own heroes and tragedies, all overshadowed by roaring …
medium.com
November 29, 2025 at 9:16 PM
Here's an article from one of our #students; he's in the #AFU and has been a student with us since January 2024
His view from the #frontline
#Ukraine
medium.com/balakun/half...
His view from the #frontline
#Ukraine
medium.com/balakun/half...
Reposted by Sandi
We at #Balakun are having a space event on #Twitter (X) The purpose is to create an #English language space for #Ukrainians in #Ukraine to talk about #recent_events. Please share, I hope you can join!
It starts at 9 pm Kyiv time
x.com/BalakunUA/st...
It starts at 9 pm Kyiv time
x.com/BalakunUA/st...
Balakun on X: "Set a reminder for my upcoming Space! https://t.co/q90ou24Vvm" / X
Set a reminder for my upcoming Space! https://t.co/q90ou24Vvm
x.com
November 29, 2025 at 12:57 AM
We at #Balakun are having a space event on #Twitter (X) The purpose is to create an #English language space for #Ukrainians in #Ukraine to talk about #recent_events. Please share, I hope you can join!
It starts at 9 pm Kyiv time
x.com/BalakunUA/st...
It starts at 9 pm Kyiv time
x.com/BalakunUA/st...
Reposted by Sandi
Happy #Thanksgiving to all our friends who celebrate
We are thankful for your support, your #volunteering, the time you put into our #mission, for spreading the word of our #organization, for being a part of #Balakun
Thank you friends 💙💛💙💛
We are thankful for your support, your #volunteering, the time you put into our #mission, for spreading the word of our #organization, for being a part of #Balakun
Thank you friends 💙💛💙💛
a sign that says i 'm thankful for you with a cornucopia full of pumpkins
ALT: a sign that says i 'm thankful for you with a cornucopia full of pumpkins
media.tenor.com
November 27, 2025 at 1:25 PM
Happy #Thanksgiving to all our friends who celebrate
We are thankful for your support, your #volunteering, the time you put into our #mission, for spreading the word of our #organization, for being a part of #Balakun
Thank you friends 💙💛💙💛
We are thankful for your support, your #volunteering, the time you put into our #mission, for spreading the word of our #organization, for being a part of #Balakun
Thank you friends 💙💛💙💛
Reposted by Sandi
November 21, 2025 at 9:33 PM
Reposted by Sandi
It's the first week of #November and #Balakun kept matching in October, 39 new connections between #Ukrainians & supporters around the world. As the year winds down, we're so proud that our global community keeps showing up even when life gets hectic. Thank you for keeping the connections alive.
November 7, 2025 at 11:40 PM
It's the first week of #November and #Balakun kept matching in October, 39 new connections between #Ukrainians & supporters around the world. As the year winds down, we're so proud that our global community keeps showing up even when life gets hectic. Thank you for keeping the connections alive.
Reposted by Sandi
Here's some interesting (цікаві)
Halloween fun follow the 🧵
source:
www.instagram.com/ukraine?igsh...
Halloween fun follow the 🧵
source:
www.instagram.com/ukraine?igsh...
Login • Instagram
Welcome back to Instagram. Sign in to check out what your friends, family & interests have been capturing & sharing around the world.
www.instagram.com
October 31, 2025 at 11:08 PM
Here's some interesting (цікаві)
Halloween fun follow the 🧵
source:
www.instagram.com/ukraine?igsh...
Halloween fun follow the 🧵
source:
www.instagram.com/ukraine?igsh...
😋
Let's talk food - їжу
Everyone takes pride in their cultural food, but Ukraine is more than just pride, it's a sense of heritage and independence
Food has a long standing tradition and that is also true for
Маківник - (makivnyk)
A sweet rolled pastry filled with poppyseeds
Everyone takes pride in their cultural food, but Ukraine is more than just pride, it's a sense of heritage and independence
Food has a long standing tradition and that is also true for
Маківник - (makivnyk)
A sweet rolled pastry filled with poppyseeds
October 29, 2025 at 1:32 PM
😋
Reposted by Sandi
Hello friends
Who wants to do a AMA tomorrow 11/1? Here on @balakunua.bsky.social ?
I'll give you a few days to give me a yes or no!
#Ukraine #UA
Привіт друзі
Хто хотів би зробити пост "Запитай мене про що завгодно" 1 листопада? Пишіть "так" чи "ні"
🤗💙💛💙💛
Who wants to do a AMA tomorrow 11/1? Here on @balakunua.bsky.social ?
I'll give you a few days to give me a yes or no!
#Ukraine #UA
Привіт друзі
Хто хотів би зробити пост "Запитай мене про що завгодно" 1 листопада? Пишіть "так" чи "ні"
🤗💙💛💙💛
October 27, 2025 at 10:22 PM
Hello friends
Who wants to do a AMA tomorrow 11/1? Here on @balakunua.bsky.social ?
I'll give you a few days to give me a yes or no!
#Ukraine #UA
Привіт друзі
Хто хотів би зробити пост "Запитай мене про що завгодно" 1 листопада? Пишіть "так" чи "ні"
🤗💙💛💙💛
Who wants to do a AMA tomorrow 11/1? Here on @balakunua.bsky.social ?
I'll give you a few days to give me a yes or no!
#Ukraine #UA
Привіт друзі
Хто хотів би зробити пост "Запитай мене про що завгодно" 1 листопада? Пишіть "так" чи "ні"
🤗💙💛💙💛
Reposted by Sandi
Добрий день і привіт
Good morning friends
Here at Balakun we've been busy this third quarter
As you see, we have more mentees than mentors so please consider #volunteering about an hour a week to help a #Ukrainian improve their #English skills. balakun.org
Good morning friends
Here at Balakun we've been busy this third quarter
As you see, we have more mentees than mentors so please consider #volunteering about an hour a week to help a #Ukrainian improve their #English skills. balakun.org
October 27, 2025 at 9:13 AM
Добрий день і привіт
Good morning friends
Here at Balakun we've been busy this third quarter
As you see, we have more mentees than mentors so please consider #volunteering about an hour a week to help a #Ukrainian improve their #English skills. balakun.org
Good morning friends
Here at Balakun we've been busy this third quarter
As you see, we have more mentees than mentors so please consider #volunteering about an hour a week to help a #Ukrainian improve their #English skills. balakun.org
Reposted by Sandi
Through Russia's illegal invasion and genocide against #Ukraine we must stand and fight and today is an important day in Ukraine for language and writing
#Слава_Україні #слава_нації
#Слава_Україні #слава_нації
October 27, 2025 at 1:28 PM
Through Russia's illegal invasion and genocide against #Ukraine we must stand and fight and today is an important day in Ukraine for language and writing
#Слава_Україні #слава_нації
#Слава_Україні #слава_нації
Reposted by Sandi
Добрий день друзі
Hello friends
Did you know we have an Instagram account?
Check is out there too
www.instagram.com/reel/DQRZiEK...
Hello friends
Did you know we have an Instagram account?
Check is out there too
www.instagram.com/reel/DQRZiEK...
Login • Instagram
Welcome back to Instagram. Sign in to check out what your friends, family & interests have been capturing & sharing around the world.
www.instagram.com
October 26, 2025 at 1:26 PM
Добрий день друзі
Hello friends
Did you know we have an Instagram account?
Check is out there too
www.instagram.com/reel/DQRZiEK...
Hello friends
Did you know we have an Instagram account?
Check is out there too
www.instagram.com/reel/DQRZiEK...
Reposted by Sandi
We can have democracy or we can have billionaires.
We cannot have both.
NYT: Marc Benioff Says Trump Should Send Guard Troops to San Francisco (gift link)
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/10/u...
We cannot have both.
NYT: Marc Benioff Says Trump Should Send Guard Troops to San Francisco (gift link)
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/10/u...
Marc Benioff Says Trump Should Send Guard Troops to San Francisco
www.nytimes.com
October 11, 2025 at 12:01 AM
We can have democracy or we can have billionaires.
We cannot have both.
NYT: Marc Benioff Says Trump Should Send Guard Troops to San Francisco (gift link)
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/10/u...
We cannot have both.
NYT: Marc Benioff Says Trump Should Send Guard Troops to San Francisco (gift link)
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/10/u...
@balakunua.bsky.social isn’t a typical language school.
It’s a volunteer-run network where people learn with each other.
Everyone has an impact on the world around them, it’s up to us how we use it.
At Balakun, we choose to make an impact through understanding, learning, and supporting Ukraine
It’s a volunteer-run network where people learn with each other.
Everyone has an impact on the world around them, it’s up to us how we use it.
At Balakun, we choose to make an impact through understanding, learning, and supporting Ukraine
October 11, 2025 at 8:59 PM
@balakunua.bsky.social isn’t a typical language school.
It’s a volunteer-run network where people learn with each other.
Everyone has an impact on the world around them, it’s up to us how we use it.
At Balakun, we choose to make an impact through understanding, learning, and supporting Ukraine
It’s a volunteer-run network where people learn with each other.
Everyone has an impact on the world around them, it’s up to us how we use it.
At Balakun, we choose to make an impact through understanding, learning, and supporting Ukraine