Photo credit: Evening standard
Two young Ukrainian refugees who were “scared to talk” when starting school in the UK have said joining their local Scout group has helped them to learn English.
The Standard reports that Artem Horchuck and Yehor Kremnov, both six, arrived in Gosport, Hampshire, in 2022 after their families fled Ukraine. Since their arrival, both have joined their local Squirrels group, a young branch of the Scouts. They are now integrated and thriving in the UK.
Artem is from Ivano-Frankivsk in western Ukraine, and Yehor is from Kyiv. Both met at 6th Gosport Squirrels after their families were both referred by their Ukrainian family support worker.
Yehor said, “England is really quiet. It’s safe here.
“We don’t have rockets or shooting here. I can sleep more here.
“I like the Squirrels as I can learn more English, make friends and have fun”.
Yehor’s mother, Mila Kremnova, is delighted that her son can grow up in a safe place and have a normal childhood. She said, “Life is horrible for children living in Ukraine now.”
Lisa Young, lead volunteer at 6th Gosport Scout Group, said: “We are thrilled that Artem and Yehor are having such a fantastic time at Squirrels with us.
“When they first joined, despite not knowing each other, they very much clung to their joint background, but just over a year later, they are completely different boys.”
