More than 30,000 Ukrainian refugees have arrived in France since the start of the war in Ukraine. Among them, more than 2,000 are established in Alsace. Some have been there for almost a month. So while waiting to be able to return home one day, when the war will end, many decide to learn French.
In the room, that day, about fifteen students are present. At 95% of women. To listen to lessons from Dana, a French teacher from kyiv. A refugee, too, who has decided to give her time. “We moved because of the war. In kyiv, it was hot. We took my sister and her granddaughter, we went to France so as not to put the children in danger” says this woman married to a Frenchman.
So, for several hours, in front of his whiteboard, she teaches refugees to count and say a few words in French .”Most speak neither French nor English. It’s a bit hard, because it’s the beginner beginner level” she explains.
“They all want to learn to communicate in everyday life, and then why not to find work, integrate and live with dignity” said Dana.
Among the trainees, there is Yulia. This mother arrived in Strasbourg a week ago with her 10-year-old son, Timour, after fleeing her city of Kharkiv. “It’s really terrible there. The city hardly exists anymore. Only a few quarters leftshe whispers.I was in the Ukrainian police. I had to quit to come here. But I also have a background in medicine. So I would like to use it. I don’t want to come back to Ukraine with my son, it’s too dangerous. So we register it here at schoolbut the process is long“says the young woman.
French lessons will now take place almost every morning for Ukrainian refugees in Strasbourg.