Member of Respond’s Ukrainian and Russian languages team wins award for translation work
Khrystyna Demchenko, a member of our incredible Ukrainian and Russian languages, received the Workers' Educational Association (WEA) Academic Excellence Award for her translation work helping Ukrainian refugees.
Khrystyna herself is a refugee of the war, having fled to the United Kingdom from Kyiv after Russia launched its war against Ukraine and four missiles hit near her house. She joined Respond in 2022 and translated more than 50 medical documents for Ukrainian refugees living in different countries. She became a volunteer team project manager just a few months after she began with Respond.
“Working with Respond helped me realize that a right to translation should become one of the basic human rights as it is a direct prerequisite to exercising and enjoying most of all rights by refugees and asylum seekers, especially for those who only recently arrived in a new country. Without oral translation, they cannot understand what the doctor is asking them and explain what worries them. A similar situation is in the immigration setting. Likewise, specific medical or legal terminology in the text cannot be easily translated by the refugees or asylum seekers themselves. Without it, they cannot access needed medical, legal or other services,” Khrystyna said.
Prior to working as a translator, Khrystyna practiced law, including with the United Nations. She is also a poetess who has placed second twice in all-national competitions in Ukraine. She also sings in a Ukrainian refugee choir and is currently working on my two children's books in England.
WEA's prestigious Academic Excellence Award recognizes adult learners’ achievements in education and community service. Khrystyna won after taking the 12-week community-interpretation course with the WEA in Bristol to help her build her language skills she puts to use with Respond.
West of England Combined Authority (Weca) Mayor Dan Norris said, "Khrystyna's story shines a spotlight on the valuable contribution they make each and everyday to our communities and our West of England region."
As violence continues to uproot people across the world from Ukraine to Gaza, it is important we continue to celebrate those who are helping people gain safety, support, and access to vital rights and resources.
