A Ukrainian family living on MS Victoria has thanked the people of Edinburgh for their “generous hospitality.”
Nataliia Polyakhovich, 45, fled the city of Kiev with her two children in February and since coming here in July, has lived on the massive ship that is docked in Leith Harbour.
Like many refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine, Nataliia and her children have made Edinburgh their home and have shown their gratitude for the warm reception they have received.
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Leaving her husband behind, Nataliia Polyakhovich fled her home in Ukraine with her son, Volodymyr, 14 and daughter, Yeva, 16 after Russian forces invaded the city, she said:
“We are so grateful to the people of Edinburgh for the generous hospitality they have shown us.”
“We have lost so much in this war, but to have the city welcome us with open arms and offer my children a place in school, gives me so much hope for the future.”
Nataliia, like many other Ukrainians travelled through Europe on any public transport they could find to flee the war and even had to leave their beloved cat behind in Kyiv.
After four months in Bulgaria they were granted a UK visa to Scotland and joined thousands of other Ukrainians who have settled in the Leith area of Edinburgh.
Since then, Volodymyr and his sister, Yeva have begun attending Trinity Academy and have started to enjoy Scottish delicacies such as Haggis and often eat fish and chips from The Fishmarket, a restaurant near Leith lighthouse.
Theirworld is a charity that provides funding for online lessons for Ukrainians who live in the UK and Nataliia’s son, Volodymyr benefits from such funding.
Founder and Chair of Theirworld, Sarah Brown wife of former, Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, said: “This brutal war has torn children away from everything that gives them safety and security: their family, friends, teachers and school. Arriving in a foreign country - often unable to speak the language - children can be traumatised, bewildered and afraid.
“In times of crisis, how our society treats refugees reflects who we are. I’m delighted that the people of Edinburgh shown such compassion and kindness to refugees like Volodymyr and his family who have suffered so much since the start of the conflict.”
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