AN INDEPENDENT school has revealed how their school has been helping several Ukrainian families in and around Salisbury.
Chafyn Grove School, on Bourne Road, has been hosting Saturday school, providing Ukrainian children the opportunity to learn their native language, literature and cultural heritage, which is crucial for preserving their identity, whilst living in a different country.
Oksana Prokopiv, a mother who sends her son to the lessons, said: “The preservation of language and cultural traditions is so important to us.
"Establishing a Ukrainian school creates a community for Ukrainian families in Wiltshire and the whole of Great Britain where they can exchange experiences, communicate, and support each other”.
Lessons take place every Saturday at the school and they welcome children ages 6-10.
Currently there are 10 children who attend the Ukrainian Saturday school that runs from 10.30am-12.30pm for those aged 6-8 years old and 12.30pm-2.30pm for children ages 9-10 years.
The lessons are especially important as they are preparing the children for when they return to Ukraine.
"It's important for the children of Ukrainian immigrants to have knowledge about their country and language if they ever decide to return to Ukraine. The Ukrainian school will assist them in this regard”, the school said.
It added: "Not only can The Ukrainian school undoubtedly help with the development of language skills, but it can contribute to instilling patriotic feelings towards their country and develop civic consciousness in the children."
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