When I first met nine-year-old Nataliia and eight-year-old Sofiia from Ukraine, they had just completed a special Welsh language course.
Her story caught the attention of audiences around the world.
The girls are now almost fluent in Welsh and are nearing the end of their summer term at school in Anglesey.
Their immersion teacher said the girls could hardly speak English when they arrived, but now they switch seamlessly between all three languages.
Both girls have been students at Ysgol Llanfairpwll on Anglesey since January.
“I like speaking Welsh, I speak Welsh at school and with friends,” said Nataliia, originally from Odessa.
“It’s nice to learn new languages… I’ve learned anferth (old), mawr (big), newydd (new) crif (very strong).”
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Sofiia from Kryvyi Rih said: “I like all new words – what I don’t know in one day in 2023, I will know in three days.”
Nataliia’s favorite word made a big impression in December – so does she still like it?
“Yes,” she said.
“Arch-farch-nad! That’s a very big word for supermarket, I like it because it’s ‘cccchhhh’!”
As is usual in the language department, where they had their first lessons, the employees go to the schools in the summer semester to exchange ideas with the students and to give private tuition.
Immersion teacher Eira Owen has noticed a huge improvement – and not just in the girls’ Welsh skills.
She said: “It’s nice to see them back after a term in office and to see how they’ve made progress and that the good work continues here at Ysgol Llanfairpwll. I am extremely happy with their development.”
“Especially for these girls, I think they’ve been through so much, it’s nice to have a personal connection since we were in such a small group in Moelfre and now seeing them once a week just in a small group.”
“It’s fantastic to see the children who arrived here in September. They now have three languages – Ukrainian, Welsh and English.”
Since starting at Ysgol Llanfairpwll the girls have taken part in activities such as the St David’s Day parade, the Urdd Eisteddfod and learning Welsh songs.
Ffion Hughes, their homeroom teacher, says they’ve settled in really well.
“It’s nice that they have each other. They wanted to be a part of everything we did. They accepted everything and did it with a big smile on their faces.”
Nataliia and Sofiia also taught their classmates some Ukrainian.
Ms. Hughes explained: “It was nice for the other students to learn about other cultures and languages.”
“The girls showed us different things from their country and helped us with different words when we asked them about it.”
Although both are happy in Wales, they often think of their homeland.
“I like living in Wales, the nature is beautiful, but I miss Ukraine,” explains Nataliia.
“My aunt and uncle, they have two children… and I have my home there, my friends, my teacher who taught me and my parrot in Ukraine.”
Sofiia sees the benefits of being in Wales, especially since her father had the opportunity to join the family on Anglesey.
“In Wales I can be more with my father, my mother, my sister and my grandma, we are more together. We can go to the park or have a barbecue.”
“I love this school. In Ukraine we have so much homework and here ‘Dipyn Bach, Dipyn Bach’ (a bit). I want schools like this in Ukraine.”
Your Ukrainian compatriot Danylo, who was also in the language unit in Moelfre, has returned to his homeland.
As Sofiia and Nataliia continue to adjust to Welsh life, they are now looking forward to the summer holidays before starting another school year in September.
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