“We Are Giving Them a New Childhood”

Nearly three and a half years since the Russian invasion of their country, a group of Ukrainian students has travelled to Lord Wandsworth College, to take part in an English Study Camp.

 

All five have received fully-funded places in a partnership between LWC and camp organisers, the Wimbledon School of English.

 

The group is being assisted by the charities Brightseeds and The Children of Heroes Charity Fund. All have lost a parent during the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, with the aim of their stay to offer respite and an opportunity to improve their English.

 

“We are working hard to give our children a new childhood,” explains Natali Lurie, Fund Development and Strategy Director for The Children of Heroes. “Every child has the right to education, development and the opportunity to feel good, even if they are living at the epicentre of war. During these challenging times for Ukraine, when our children face daily struggles, the support of WSE and LWC is a true demonstration of human solidarity.”

 

Despite the many challenges of the last three and a half years, the group is bubbly and excitable when we meet. They coo over a nearby dog, taking a nap on campus and ask enthusiastic questions about the surrounding College buildings.

 

“I love the architecture here,” beams 17-year-old Snizhana. “It’s so historic. I’ve always wanted to learn as many languages as I can. I learned English when I was in kindergarten and now it’s really good. I love this school, the teachers and I think it’s really good for my future.”

 

For 17-year-old Albina, this is her second trip to the UK. “It’s so perfect,” she smiles. “It was always my dream to come to this country. I really like the people and the mentality. I would like to study here and it’s my goal to improve my English and one day, live here.”

 

“I would like to study for a language degree and then maybe a second degree in something like psychology. Then I can learn how to understand people and help them… to be a comfort to them.”

— Snizhana, 17

 

As the conversation continues, it becomes clear that despite the backdrop of war, which continues to dominate in their homeland, these young people have managed to hold on to some typical teenage characteristics.

 

“I love the food here,” enthuses 16-year-old, Yehor. The girls chatter loudly about the breadth of the menu at LWC: “We really like the vegetables, the broccoli, the corn,” explains Snizhana. “All of the food is my favourite,” continues Yehor, to screams of laughter from his fellow students.

 

The group is staying at LWC for two weeks, as part of English Study Camps, run by the Wimbledon School of English. WSE has been basing camps at LWC since 2016, offering students from up to 30 nations around the world the opportunity to study, take part in fun activities and visit UK cities, whilst improving their English.

 

“We have met people from China, Japan, Spain, Brazil,” lists 17-year-old Khrystyna. “Kazakhstan,” continues Yehor, “Argentina, Portugal and Turkey.” They explain that communication with this multi-lingual group is carried out in English, which helps to practice their language skills during downtime, as well as in lessons.

 

“The group is taking part in our main academic courses of Explore English and Future Business Leaders,” reveals Paul Greaves, Director of Young Learners for English Study Camps at the WSE. “In the afternoon, they’re enrolled on our Plus Courses, which include film making, drama and coding. They’ll also have visited Oxford, London, Winchester and Brighton before they leave.”

 

“This is a beautiful place,” remarks 17-year-old Maksym. “The people are very friendly.” Khrystyna continues to talk about her love of sport, alongside the courses on offer and the trips they’ve taken part in. “The school is so huge,” she admits. “We can play tennis, table tennis and I love the swimming pool.”

 

The group’s arrival at LWC is somewhat symbolic. The College opened in 1922, with the aim of providing an education for children who had lost one or both parents (most likely as a result of the First World War). To this day, LWC continues to offer educational opportunities to children and young people who have lost the support of a parent, through the Lord Wandsworth Foundation. Now, through this partnership with WSE, LWC is able to extend this assistance to young people whose lives continue to be impacted by conflict, more than a century after this need was first identified.

 

The LWC aim now, as it was in 1922, is to widen the worlds of young people. To encourage them to dream and embrace the unpredictability ahead.

 

There are no shortage of dreams within this group.

 

“I would like to become a computer programmer somewhere in Europe,” explains Maksym. “My dream is to study in England or Ireland and to become an economist,” continues Yehor. Khrystyna talks of wanting to visit England again and to work in the fashion industry, whilst Albina reveals a philanthropic desire to help others. “I would like to work for a charitable organisation helping Ukrainian children,” she explains. “I think it’s so important for our country and we will have problems there for years to come.”

 

Snizhana remains true to her childhood dream of learning as many languages as she can. “I would love to be a translator,” she announces. Others in the group suggests she could be an actress, based upon her performances in camp. “I’m too shy for that,” she replies. “I would like to study for a language degree and then maybe a second degree in something like psychology. Then I can learn how to understand people and help them… to be a comfort to them.”

 

Proof that even in the face of adversity, dreams can still be preserved.