Paulina, 16, arrived from Ukraine, joined the Stanislas de Wissembourg high school, this Monday, March 14. 31 refugees are welcomed in the Bas-Rhin commune.
Paulina, 16, arrived in Alsace in early March 2022 with her mother, brother and sister. They managed to leave the town of Brovary, located about twenty kilometers from Kiev, thanks to a restaurateur of Ukrainian origin, who lives in Wissembourg and who organized the trip.
Paulina is the eldest of her siblings. She is back in 1st general, at Stanislas de Wissembourg high school, this Monday, March 14. For the young girl, this is an important moment: “That’s exciting. The people in Wissembourg and the students are so nice. I don’t feel any stress, it’s strange, even if I’m shocked by what we’ve been through, it’s a new life that’s beginning.“
It starts with a math lesson. The teacher does not really speak English, but a group of English-speaking students has been appointed to accompany him. “We probably won’t be working this morning.” explains the teacher“but I put them in a group so they could get to know each other.” Among his new classmates, one idea dominates: “Give her some support, comfort and make her feel welcome.”
Talia volunteered to accompany Paulina. “We met on Saturday, we saw each other again yesterday and we agreed to meet this morning in front of the school, so that she wouldn’t get lost.“
In all, they are 31 Ukrainians to be welcomed in Wissembourg. And this Monday morning, six of them returned to school (two students in kindergarten; two in primary, one in college and Paulina in high school).
A surge of solidarity was triggered in this small town in northern Alsace. In particular, a collection of school items was organised.