A FAMILY has settled in Tameside after fleeing their war torn homeland of Ukraine.
Nataliia and Yana Kliutchnik now call Dukinfield home after relocating and settling with Pam and Chris Smith.
After once sleeping on air raid shelter floors as their home city of Ternopil – almost 300 miles west of capital Kyiv – found itself targeted by Russian troops invade and launch attack after attack, they are now in the comfort of the UK.
But it is not a one-way adaptation after arriving on May 21 – as 10-year-old Yana gets used to Stalybridge’s Gorse Hall Primary School – the British are getting used to Ukrainian customs as well.
“Nataliia and Yana are thriving here after three months in Dukinfield,” said Chris, who lives on Chapel Close.
“Life has changed for us all and Pam and I are enjoying the variety of fresh challenges that arise.
“Yana finished the school year with a glowing report from her primary school. She excels at all subjects and even is progressing well in English.
“Nataliia is picking up English quite quickly. Google translate has been really helpful with communicating, and Yana has a good start in English already.”
Some things are still strange for Yana and her 39-year-old mother.
Chris added: “We’ve been to Orthodox Catholic Mass at the Ukrainian Centre in Ashton.
“Then they made us borscht for lunch and it was particularly good.
“So, in response, I made hash. They clearly approved as they left clean plates but avoided the mushy peas and Henderson’s Relish!
“They continue to marvel at some of our British habits of drinking tea with milk, men cooking food, no-one walking much (using cars all the time), wearing shoes into the house and the politeness of strangers.
“On a recent walk with Pam, Nataliia asked how did we know all the people that we passed – as we had said hello to everyone!”
Pam and Chris say they have received fantastic support from Tameside Council throughout the process of becoming refugee hosts.
Chris said: “We want to thank everyone – education, schools, social services, safeguarding and more.
“Their kindness and help has been wonderful and given with great dignity. Other host families for refugees in the borough have echoed these remarks.
“I’ve seen photographs of Yana sleeping on air-raid shelter floors in Ukraine so I expect we will all have many more tears before she and Nataliia return home.”
Cllr Vimal Choksi, Executive Member for Towns and Communities said: “I am incredibly proud of the support given by our Tameside residents to those who are fleeing war in Ukraine and want to thank them for their compassion and kindness.”
• If you would like to find out more about becoming a host for Ukrainian refugees in Tameside, visit: www.tameside.gov.uk/supportukraine