13 November 2024

Eurasia Region

United Kingdom and Ukraine

Historically, the United Kingdom has been a leader in developing parliamentary democracy, literature, and science. The British Empire reached more than one-fourth of the earth during the height of its power. Following two World Wars and the Irish Republic’s withdrawal from the union, much of the UK’s strength was depleted in the 20th century. Nonetheless, as one of Europe’s most prosperous nations, the UK is one of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council and a founding member of NATO. The UK is comprised of England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The Church of the Nazarene began work in the UK in 1906. The Commonwealth of Nations comprises 54 countries across all inhabited continents (along with 15 “Dependent Areas”), with member states having a combined population of 2.4 billion people. The Commonwealth pursues a global approach to foreign policy. Ukraine’s most recent history has been fraught with all the dysfunction, dislocation, and destruction that war brings. The war between Russia and Ukraine has been ongoing since 2014, but the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which occurred in February 2022, has left both countries scarred by the conflict. Nearly 6.5 million Ukrainian refugees are registered internationally, and some 247,000 are in the UK. Today’s story is about one of them and the church connections that have given her new life and hope.

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Omar and Sandra were on vacation when they received the gut-wrenching news of the war that had erupted in Ukraine. Images of families torn apart and people forced to abandon their homes sent shock waves of compassion through their hearts. Together, they made a decision to open their home to a Ukrainian refugee. Sandra states, “We knew we had room in our home and so it was an easy initial decision for us to open up our home.” Following this, they registered to be hosts as soon as they could and then found out that they could be matched with someone through church.

To bridge the language gap and ensure a smooth transition, they learned basic Ukrainian phrases and labeled their kitchen cupboards with both Ukrainian and English. Omar and Sandra also connected with other host families to gather invaluable advice and insights into the experience they were about to embark upon. The anticipation built as they connected with Ira, their soon-to-arrive guest, through FaceTime.

Ira’s journey over the past year has been nothing short of remarkable. Omar and Sandra helped Ira enroll in college to learn English last September, and her recent graduation in July marked a significant milestone in her journey. As the six-month hosting period came to an end, the family and Ira discussed her transition to independence. With the help of their local authority, Ira moved into her own apartment. This transition was not without its challenges, but the bonds of friendship and support remained strong. Despite the language barrier, Ira managed to secure a job at a local care home, where she found fulfillment and stability. Her earnings contributed to her apartment and living costs, easing her path to independence. To read more of Ira’s story, click here.

This is an excerpt from Eurasia Region Snapshots, published on 20 March 2024 (written by Sharon Tigga). Unexpected Bonds: The Remarkable Story of a Ukrainian Refugee Finding Family in the UK.

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