Case study - Oksana HFU

In May 2022, Oksana and her daughter Viola were welcomed by a sponsor family in Stroud, Craig and Morwenna. Grateful for their support, Oksana joined a team of English volunteers assisting Ukrainian refugees. Her passion to share Ukraine's rich culture led her to organize the first "Vesnyanka" festival, followed by larger events like Cossacks Day and Vyshyvanka Day in Stroud.

Since the autumn of 2023, Oksana has been volunteering as an administrator at the Ukrainian School "Kolo" in Gloucester, where over 50 students study Ukrainian language, literature, history, and culture. They also explore English traditions, music, dance, and art, while organizing and participating in community festivals. The most recent was a Children's Day celebration in Gloucester Park.

For Oksana, her volunteer work is about more than support; it's about preserving cultural heritage and building connections across generations and cultures. Despite the challenges, she believes in the strength of unity and cultural preservation to create a cohesive, friendly community.