Ukrainian school marks four years of 'horrible' war
BBCA Saturday school set up to support children who have fled the war in Ukraine has marked the fourth anniversary of the conflict with prayers and song.
St Mary's Ukrainian School has now grown to 15 sites nationwide and has been helping 3,000 children celebrate their language and identity, as well as provide support with trauma and building new lives in a new country.
A special event filled with performances and tributes was held as the Northampton community came together to remember their homeland.
"It's sad to be honest to have this event... four years of the war and still the same situation - it's horrible," said parent Khrystyna Protsyk.
"People's small children have died for nothing."
Russia's full-scale invasion began on 24 February 2022, exacerbating a humanitarian crisis that has been ongoing in eastern Ukraine since 2014.
Since then, about 5.9m refugees are recorded globally, with about 264,000 Ukrainians living in the UK.
Protsyk said the area where she lived in Ukraine was under constant threat of missile attack and she now felt safe and grateful to have settled in Northampton with her child.
"It's very important to take part in today's event as on this date four years ago our life just divided into two worlds: life before and life after," she said.
"No one expected what happened with the war - it's important not to forget this horrible time, which is continuous in our country.
"Every day we are praying for peace."
Lisa is one of the 55 children who attends the Northampton centre, which has helped her both to remember her heritage and get accustomed to living in England.
"My life here started off hard because you needed to learn the language fast to be able to communicate [and] find friends," she said.
"It takes a bit of shifting but I'm really enjoying life here."
Many of the children still have family in Ukraine. Their families felt it was crucial to give them a place to practise their language skills and come together with other children from their displaced community.
The school is a verified education centre and the curriculum has been approved by the Ukrainian government.
Students undergo formal exams, which means their results are recognised by Ukrainian schools to allow for continuity in their education when it is safe to return.
Ukrainian language classes are held, alongside literature, history and music lessons as well as dance and art clubs.
The centre is run by a team of education staff, who have all moved from Ukraine due to the outbreak of the war.
Viktoriia Sukharnyk, from the school, said the centre had helped students and "supported them to integrate into society, but without losing our identity".
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