Yevheniya Popova
Yevheniya and her 11-year-old daughter, Anastasiya, left Chornomorsk, Odesa, following the Russian invasion. In Bristol, they found a new home with sponsors Steve and Samantha.
This is what life has been like for them since leaving home.
Difficult to decide and difficult to travel
It was difficult to think about leaving Ukraine. Everything close to my heart is there—my mum, home, family and friends. I took the plunge because I have an 11-year-old daughter. I was very anxious about her life and future. We decided on the UK because both my child and I have a good understanding of English. A friend of mine helped and convinced me.
We travelled by bus across Poland, and from Poland we took a flight to England. It was difficult to spend 27 hours in an uncomfortable bus, especially for my child. It took us quite a long time to cross the Polish border.
Our sponsors
We looked for sponsors in British communities and groups online, through acquaintances and, of course, with the support of BHSU. We were lucky to get a very cultured family as our sponsors. Steve is working for the BBC on a film about saving the UK’s nature. He speaks several languages, including Chinese. Samantha is a psychologist and works with children from dysfunctional families. Our sponsors have two school-age daughters: Natasha (15 y.o.) and Emily (12 y.o.). The family has two cats.
Steve and Samantha love travelling, outdoor recreation, literature, history, music, drawing. We experience no difficulties in communication—we can agree upon anything. I am grateful for everything they do for us. They are wonderful people! I am very glad that we found them.
The burden of paperwork
The most difficult thing throughout our stay was to accept the fact that we are not home. In addition, filling out all official documents is a very exhausting process, and not everything is always clear. We have to wait for answers to official requests for a very long time.
I am still in the process of receiving all the documents. Our sponsors help us a lot, and so do Ukrainians who have been here for several months and who know all proper steps. Samantha secured a school place for my daughter very quickly; she filled out all necessary papers, registered me to get a student laptop and is always ready to help and find any support I need. I am very grateful to her!
Study in the UK
We had not been to the UK before, although, of course, we were familiar with British traditions from books, history lessons, English courses, news, and Wikipedia. I speak English fluently. My daughter’s level is slightly lower, but she can communicate and explain what she needs. When I arrived in the country, I enrolled for ESOL classes with a local college.
My daughter will study English at school. Our sponsors took care of all matters related to the school. All I had to do was to fill out, with their help, an online form with my daughter’s details and to go through the school code of conduct. In addition to that, Nastya (Anastasiya) spent five days in a summer camp. Ukrainians who have already settled here, together with the sponsors, helped with that: they shared the information in the chat, we registered straight away, and the process started.
Everyone decides for themselves
I want to send a huge thank-you to the BHSU team for their support, assistance and for finding the sponsors for us. You are doing something important, and something people really need. Great job, everyone! Thank you!
We are happy with our experience in England, but it’s difficult to give advice to others. Everyone should make their own choice, weighing up all the pros and cons. Although, if it is hard to decide, I believe it’s better to do it and regret it rather than not do it and regret it.