Ukrainian refugee thanks UK city for 'crucial support' in heartwarming letter
A Ukrainian mum who fled her war-torn homeland with her twin daughters, has thanked the people of Scotland for their warm welcome.
After leaving their home city of Kharkiv, Maryna Ivanova and her children arrived in Edinburgh on 24th April 2022- finding comfort at a local leisure centre. The second anniversary of the Russian invasion is this week.
Through the Relocated People Access Programme (RPAP), Maryna stated: "I cannot emphasise enough how significant this opportunity has been for us. I believe that this has been pivotal in preventing me from succumbing to depression." Also in a letter to Edinburgh Leisure, she expressed gratitude, saying: "Over the past one and a half years, my family and I have been recipients of the privileges granted by Edinburgh Leisure, and I cannot emphasise enough how significant this opportunity has been for us."
Before the war, Maryna's entire family enjoyed regular sports activities almost day-to-day in Kharkiv.
"When the war forced us to flee to Scotland, seeking refuge and safety for our children, the initial weeks and even months were filled with a sense of disorientation. Everything was new and unfamiliar, there was a lack of employment opportunities, and the overall situation was both challenging and frightening, especially considering my pregnancy. It was at this critical juncture that we received our Edinburgh Leisure membership card.
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"We immediately utilised the facilities, heading to the gym and swimming pools. I believe that this decision played a pivotal role in preventing me from succumbing to depression. The routine of morning exercises brought me back to a more balanced perception of reality and fuelled my determination to overcome adversity."
"Every lap in the pool and every workout in the gym was infused with gratitude towards your organisation. It enabled me to push myself to attend English language courses and secure employment in the local school. I continued with sports activities until the very end of my pregnancy, and now, my little one, a new resident of Scotland, accompanies me to the pool.
"We managed to get back on our feet, and secure housing, and currently, my children participate in various sections of your network (gymnastics, trampolining, swimming, and diving), and we are grateful that we can afford to pay for these activities now. However, it all started with the initial impulse from the 'RPAP' card."The brave Ukrainian lady said: "I want to extend heartfelt thanks on behalf of all Ukrainians in Edinburgh for the crucial support that was so desperately needed and that we received from your organisation.
"Thank you once again for making a significant difference in our lives."
The officer at Edinburgh Leisure, Phil Trodden, added: "This is just one of the ways that Edinburgh Leisure's Active Communities team is helping people overcome the barriers to being and staying active and enabling more people to enjoy the life-changing benefits of an active life."
Cammy Day, the head of the council, shared: "The feedback received from Maryna, one of the Ukrainian refugees is a touching testament to the value of the Relocated People Access Programme and the impact it is having on people's lives. We're proud to support refugees as they settle into their new lives in our city.
"In the face of unimaginable adversity, Maryna Ivanova's story exemplifies the triumph of the human spirit and the transformative power of community support and sport and physical activity.
"Through her resilience and perseverance, Maryna has overcome the trauma of displacement. As she continues her journey of rebuilding her family's life in Edinburgh, Maryna's story serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration for refugees worldwide and we're glad to have been able to play a part."
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