This week we said goodbye to our young friends from Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, after an unforgettable week in Birmingham.
It was an emotional farewell. In such a short time, strong friendships were formed, and there were many tears as the young people said goodbye to their host families and new friends. It was particularly difficult knowing they were returning to a city close to the frontline, where war continues to shape daily life and where many young people have experienced schooling in underground classrooms and shelters.
For one week, we wanted them simply to enjoy being young people — to explore, learn, laugh, make friends and create happy memories.
During their stay they visited the UK Parliament and met Tahir Ali MP, explored London, visited Warwick Castle and Stratford-upon-Avon, and discovered Birmingham and the surrounding area.
For the Bosnia UK Network and the Bosnian community, this visit had a special meaning. More than 30 years ago, Birmingham opened its doors to Bosnian refugees and helped us rebuild our lives. It was a privilege, three decades later, to extend some of that same kindness and solidarity to young people from Ukraine.
Our sincere thanks go to Lloyd Broad, Sukhi Kaur, Heather Law and Marsela Kalaja Hoxha from Birmingham City Council, our official partner in organising the visit, whose support and cooperation were essential throughout.
We also thank the Lord Mayor of Birmingham for welcoming the group; the @Shakespeare Birthplace Trust and Warwick Castle for their generosity and wonderful programmes; and Tahir Ali MP for welcoming the young people to Parliament and helping make their visit there so memorable.
Special thanks to Kateryna Kvitka, who accompanied and guided the group in London, and to our Bosnian young people, who showed their new friends around Birmingham and the surrounding area and were wonderful young ambassadors for our community.
We are also very grateful to Birmingham’s Ukrainian community, particularly Ukrainian Supplementary School Vodohrai, its teachers, children and families, and to Lucy Shadova for organising a wonderful workshop.
Our deepest thanks go to our host families:
Antonina Miasnikova, Alisa Chernenko, Alix Toffin, Maryna Tymchenko, Victoria Zubko-Izrailian, David Nesome, Marta Jacyniuk-Lloyd, Stefan and Katia Marcu, Vicky Mennear, Cynthia and Eric Deeson, Mirza Gazibegovic, Anes Ceric, Jasmin Besic and Toby Crowe.
Without their generosity and willingness to open their homes, this visit would not have been possible. The friendships created between the families and the young people, and the tears at the farewell, spoke for themselves.
Finally, a huge thank you to the Bosnia & Herzegovina UK Network team, volunteers and wider Bosnian community. Months of preparation went into making this week possible. Special thanks to Maria Shvenko, Zhenya Shevchenko, Mirza, Kateryna Qader, Aisha, Muhammad, Ebrahim Suleman, Sarah Elizabeth Moore and Beverley Harvey, and to everyone who gave their time and energy.
To our young friends from Zaporizhzhia: Birmingham and Bosnia House will always have a place for you. Until we meet again. 
