A group of Ukrainian children have learned Welsh to find their way around the country.
More than 1,000 miles from home, they were welcomed with open arms in their communities on Anglesey.
At 11 weeks, Natalia, nine, speaks almost fluently. Hailing from Odessa, a city that has borne the brunt of some of the fiercest fighting, she said she loves Welsh.
Her and her friends’ language comprehension was described as “amazing”.
Sofiia, Natalia and Danylo have been visiting a specialist Welsh immersion unit at Ysgol Moelfre every day since September.
Eight-year-old Sofiia from Kryvyi Rih, which is also the hometown of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, said she enjoyed writing, reading and singing in Welsh.
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Natalia said: “I’m learning about animals, clothes, weather, food and fruit. I want to learn Welsh because it helps me.”
Danylo, 11, is from Bronytsia in the Lviv region and said he enjoyed speaking Welsh with his friends.
Anglesey has a language policy which means that all primary schools in the county teach in Welsh and all pupils are fully bilingual by the age of 11.
The island has two specialist Welsh immersion units to help students coming from outside Wales learn quickly.
After completing the 12-week course, the children return to their primary schools and can continue their education.
Eira Owen, one of the unit’s teachers, said it was very important for the children to see the different language and culture on Anglesey.
“The way we immerse the children is a very effective way of teaching and helps the children become fluent.
“It’s happening in ways they don’t realize through playing games, acting, rapping and singing,” she said.
She said the kids “threw themselves into all the experiences.”
Nesta Davies, lead teacher at Anglesey Language Centers, said the children’s parents have been very supportive.
“The families were so happy, we have text messages on the phone saying how well the children are doing.”
But Ms Davies said Anglesey was “lucky” to have the language centers and she hopes to be able to work with others across Wales in the future.
The Welsh Government said it would continue to invest in the Welsh language, “including a £6.6million commitment to immersion delivery by the end of this term in Senedd”.
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