VALYA SAYS:
“When things kicked o in Ukraine, we didn’t expect it to escalate. Then, rockets were fired and we had to get
Daniel to safety. We went to a refugee camp in Romania, sleeping in a hall with 100 other people, before going to Bulgaria. While there, we lived on food rations.
“I was in agony, looking for a way out and a future for my son. I’m lucky Kat, a woman with a good heart and great soul, wrote to me. Her incredible family didn’t know anything about us other than we were from Ukraine and needed help.
“When we arrived in England, we discussed our living arrangements, especially food – ‘what do you eat?’, ‘how do you cook?’ – but we all like modern food that’s simple and fast to cook.
“Cooking is a ritual and has helped our families of di erent nationalities get to know each other. Cooking combined us into one large international family.
“These folks opened their hearts to us, accepting two sisters and a child, protecting and helping us. So much support, kind words, love and friendliness have been given by our English family. I’m so grateful to them that despite those months of horror, I’m now feeling happy, peaceful and secure. Being here now with Kat, Paul and Gabi is a lifeline. I’ll be thankful to them all my life.”