School Children Plea for Wales to be 'Safe' for Refugees at ‘Communities for Ukraine’ Event
“Refugees come to our country for a safe place because they had to leave theirs. Ukrainians just need somewhere to stay and feel safe because Ukraine isn't safe anymore,” said a student of Pen-y-Fai Church in Wales Primary School at a Refugee Welcome event on Monday 17th July. The event was hosted by the Diocese of Llandaff and Citizens Cymru as one of a two-part series to raise awareness of the situation in Ukraine, the experiences of those who are hosting refugees, and to find out more about becoming a host or supporting Ukrainians in Wales
Raising awareness of the ongoing fallout of the Ukraine/Russian war is particularly important for the children of Pen-y-Fai Primary, who have been working with local vicar Revd Maggie Thorne and Citizens Cymru to learn about hosting Ukrainians. The pupils have also produced several leaflets on the transformational impact of hosting a Ukrainian family and presented to guests with talks and videos at Monday’s event.
The second event, held later in the evening, took place at St. Theodore’s in Port Talbot, which was promoted and supported by the work local vicar Fr Ben Andrews has been doing with Central and Eastern Primary schools.
At both events, Communities for Ukraine Project Officer Nina Ramzan from Citizens Cymru shared a presentation about the positive impact of hosting both on Ukrainians and their host family, as well as the amazing news that well over 800 Ukrainians, including nearly 300 children, had found safety in the UK through the Communities for Ukraine programme. However, there was also a powerful reminder that much more needs to be done, with information on the destruction of the Kakhovka Dam and the deep concerns at the Zaporishia Nuclear Power Plant. Many Ukrainians are still in danger and are desperately seeking safety here in Wales until the war is over.
Diocesan Outreach and Social Justice Lead Christoph Auckland closed both events with a reflection on why the Communities for Ukraine project, and supporting all newcomers to Wales seeking a safe home, is of importance to the diocese.
He said “The invitation to love and welcome those in need that the Bible challenges us to accept is something we as a diocese are passionate about responding to.
"We’re delighted to join with CitizensUK to welcome Ukrainians to Wales, alongside other work to welcome Syrians, Afghans, and many others, as part of the long and complex history of welcome South Wales has extended to people at different times and from different places.
"It’s not just about hosting, but how all of us, as communities, schools, churches, and as individuals, welcome newcomers, support and care for those in need, and transform where we live into safe and welcoming places for all those who seek a safe home here in Wales.”
Jesus challenges us that "just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me." Join the Diocese of Llandaff in welcoming and supporting those seeking safety in Wales, because, as another student at Pen-y-fai Primary says, "it is vital that we find host families and that we welcome Ukrainian refugees like they are already our family.”
The diocese and Citizen Cymru are looking to host more events across the region, so if your church, ministry area or Deanery is interested in a Communities for Ukraine information event then please get in touch with either Christoph Auckland at christophauckland@cinw.org.uk or Citizens Cymru Community Organiser Richard Weaver at richard.weaver@citizenswales.org.uk.
If you're interested in providing a home for a Ukrainian family or individual through the Communities for Ukraine project, please contact Christoph Auckland at christophauckland@cinw.org.uk, or find more information at https://www.citizensuk.org/cfu