Ukrainian war refugee, 73, finding hope in Queensland English lessons after fleeing Kharkiv
After fleeing her home in Kharkiv only months ago with her life in danger, Liudmyla Prymakova has already found happiness and friends in Australia — and learning English has been a big part of that.
The 73-year-old grandmother arrived in North Queensland in early March after a week-long journey escaping Ukraine.
She has since been living with her daughter Alla in Mackay, who moved to Australia in 2014.
"I'm pretty sure she's settled down," Alla said.
"She looks happy. She has some friends. She's socialising."
Most of that social scene has come from the English lessons Ms Prymakova started attending last month.
Alongside a weekly English language class at Mackay TAFE, the Ukrainian national also meets up with other migrants once a week at an English conversation circle — an informal gathering where people come together to practise the language.
"It's very nice. I'm happy," Ms Prymakova said.
Unlike many younger Ukrainians who have sought refuge in Australia since Russia's invasion, Liudmyla arrived not knowing English.
According to Ruth Bell, who facilitates the English conversation circle at Dudley Denny Library, the 73-year-old is one of her eldest participants.
"It amazes me that she is willing to take on the challenge of improving her English at her age," Ms Bell said.
"That can be quite a challenge for some people."
"I think she's enjoying that there are other people in her own age group that are within the group.
She said that was important because if people only stayed with a couple of friends who spoke their mother tongue, they tended to become isolated.
"I tend to see Liudmyla as being a very sociable type of person," Ms Bell said.
The early progress she has made in English has also given Ms Prymakova the confidence to join other community groups.
"She's attending aqua fitness classes," her daughter, Alla, said.
"[In Ukraine] she always attended the swimming pool and some Pilates classes.
"She understands that if she can't speak English, that's not a good life.
"At the moment she's not driving and she doesn't know how to use public transport and how to use a map."
But it is her determination to seek out the familiar in a foreign land that Ms Bell says will help Ms Prymakova feel more at home.
"I admire her for stepping out into things," she said.
"If you have been accustomed to doing certain things back in your home country, it helps you settle and be more comfortable with your lifestyle once you get involved in similar activities in your new country.
"And yes, you need English comprehension to help you through that.
"She's quite a strong lady."
While she could still hear the sounds of bombing after she first landed in Mackay, Ms Prymakova said she was less on edge these days and had been sleeping much better.
"[I no longer] react to very loud sounds," she said.
"I feel so safe because I am so far from Russia and Ukraine."
Ms Prymakova has been granted a six-month protection visa to stay in Australia, which she hopes will be converted into a three-year Temporary Humanitarian Concern Visa.
"This people [Australians] are very beautiful," Ms Prymakova said.
Alla considers it wonderful to see her mother experience the infectious Australian culture.
"That's actually what I noticed when I came to Australia," Alla said.
"Everyone's smiling, saying hello to each other. People are very open, very kind.
"And she feels like, 'Oh, everyone's happy. Why should I not be happy?'."
To immerse herself more in the surrounding community, Ms Prymakova says she has been watching the local news with subtitles on.
"[I] really want to be involved in Mackay life, to understand what's going on around here," she said.
"Of course, I will feel more independent."
Seeing how well her mother has taken to living in North Queensland, Alla admits she feels much like a proud parent herself.
"Oh my God, absolutely happy," she said.
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