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MP reflects on six months with Ukrainian guest
26/09/2022
Vika has been made to feel like part of the family, but ultimately hopes to return home as soon as she can
Six months after offering a home to a Ukrainian refugee, Banbury’s MP Victoria Prentis has described the move as an “extraordinary experience”.
Vika, a 25-year-old office worker from Kyiv, fled her country and arrived here in March. Prior to the Russian invasion Vika had met Mrs Prentis’ daughter Tilly when she had been studying in Kyiv at the end of 2021.
Mrs Prentis acknowledged that the role had been larger than she originally expected. She said: “It has been an extraordinary experience having Vika live with us this past six-months. Like many hosts, we have been much more involved than we first expected. We have met a wide network of Ukrainian’s staying locally and have tried our best to help them along the way.”
Whilst the images of the situation in Ukraine are seen by everyone, Mrs Prentis noted that through Vika the reality had been brought right into her home. She said: “The war is very real. We sometimes hear the air raid siren from Kyiv at home through Vika’s phone. It is obviously still extremely traumatic for those that were able to flee.”
Vika is grateful for the support she is receiving at a difficult time. She said: “It has already been six-months living with Victoria and her family. It has been very interesting time, despite the difficulty of living a double life and thinking about my country and people every day.
“The family has been extremely supportive, helpful and kind to me. I have been invited to lots of parties and family gatherings, meeting almost every family member. They are so welcoming. They treat me like a daughter, a sister, a niece and a cousin which is very sweet! It seems we have known each other forever.”
Mrs Prentis is pleased to have been able to help but knows her guest’s main aims. She said: “We have been trying to make Vika’s stay as useful for her as possible. I am really pleased that she has been able to start work in Oxford and has been learning to drive which is really benefitting her.
“We are very conscious that Vika wants to go home to help rebuild her country as soon as it is safe. I’m sure that we will stay in close touch when she does. This is a lifelong relationship.”
Vika added: “Victoria and her family and friends have done a lot to help me with settling me in which I am unbelievably grateful for. I have been taught lots of traditions, habits and many cultural aspects of the UK.
“One of my favourite things is reeling which I am almost an expert at now! I have also been shown lots of new places: we had a great time visiting Wales in the summer, discovering it can be warm there.
“I feel much better now as we have been able to help my parents and some of our friends to come to the UK which is a big relief. My grandparents are still in the occupied zone, however.
“I am pleased to have started working one of the colleges at Oxford University which is a great opportunity for me to gain skills which I can use to help rebuild my country, bring a new vision to different things and help with reformation when I return. I have even started to learn to drive and hope to pass my theory and test the first time!
“I can say that I feel a member of the society with full access to many facilities. I am enjoying my stay in the UK with a big hope in my heart to return home soon.”
Published: by Banbury FM Newsteam