I’m Dr. Dmitri Finkelshtein, born in Kyiv, Ukraine, in 1978. I graduated with distinction from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv with an MSc in Mathematics in 2000. After earning my PhD and Doctor of Science degrees at the Institute of Mathematics of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, I moved to Germany in 2012 to work at Bielefeld University. In 2013, I joined Swansea University as an Associate Professor in Mathematics, and my younger son was born here. Since 2014, following Russia’s annexation of Crimea, my family and I, along with other Ukrainians in South Wales, have been actively supporting Ukraine through fundraising. In May 2022, we established Sunflowers Wales, a Ukrainian non-profit community group, and I serve as its Chair.

Initially, the challenge was the small Ukrainian community, which made it difficult to maintain cultural connections, especially when raising my younger son. Since 2022, our community has grown due to the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, leading to the new challenge of assisting arriving Ukrainians and supporting those still in Ukraine.

We have organised numerous events to integrate Ukrainian and Welsh communities, including Halloween, Christmas, and Easter celebrations for children, and Ukrainian Independence Day concerts at Swansea Grand Theatre and Castle Square. We also participated in the Swansea Croeso Festival and Coronation Week, and our Ukrainian dance group has performed at care homes and community centres, holding regular dance classes.

We have organised numerous events to integrate Ukrainian and Welsh communities, including Halloween, Christmas, and Easter celebrations for children, and Ukrainian Independence Day concerts at Swansea Grand Theatre and Castle Square. We also participated in the Swansea Croeso Festival and Coronation Week, and our Ukrainian dance group has performed at care homes and community centres, holding regular dance classes.

The UK’s support for Ukrainian migrants has been remarkable, though some negative cases have received disproportionate media attention. It’s crucial to recognize that these cases do not represent the majority. Many Ukrainians are eager to contribute positively and integrate into their new communities. Appreciating their efforts and contributions can foster better attitudes and inclusion

This challenging period presents a unique opportunity to learn and grow. Embrace your experiences in the UK to gain new knowledge and perspectives on diversity and inclusion. Be active in your local community and support others, which will enrich your personal and professional future.

Dr. Dmitri Finkelshtein ydw i, a aned yn Kyiv, Wcráin, ym 1978. Graddiais gyda rhagoriaeth o Brifysgol Genedlaethol Kyiv Taras Shevchenko, gyda MSc mewn Mathemateg yn 2000. Ar ôl ennill fy ngraddau PhD a Doethur mewn Gwyddoniaeth o Sefydliad Mathemateg Academi Genedlaethol y Gwyddorau Wcráin, symudais i’r Almaen yn 2012 i weithio ym Mhrifysgol Bielefeld. Yn 2013, ymunais â Phrifysgol Abertawe fel Athro Cyswllt mewn Mathemateg, a ganwyd fy mab iau yma. Ers 2014, yn dilyn cyfeddiannaeth y Crimea gan Rwsia, mae fy nheulu a minnau, ynghyd â phobl eraill o Wcráin yn Ne Cymru, wedi bod yn cefnogi Wcráin trwy godi arian. Ym mis Mai 2022, fe wnaethom sefydlu Sunflowers Wales, grŵp cymunedol dielw o Wcráin, ac rwy’n gwasanaethu fel ei Gadeirydd.

I ddechrau, yr her oedd y gymuned Wcreinaidd fach, a oedd yn ei gwneud yn anodd cynnal cysylltiadau diwylliannol, yn enwedig wrth fagu fy mab iau. Ers 2022, mae ein cymuned wedi tyfu o ganlyniad i oresgyniad llawn yr Wcráin, gan arwain at yr her newydd o gynorthwyo Wcreiniaid sy’n cyrraedd a chefnogi’r rhai sy’n dal i fod yn Wcráin.

Rydym wedi trefnu nifer o ddigwyddiadau i integreiddio cymunedau Wcreinaidd a Chymreig, gan gynnwys dathliadau Calan Gaeaf, y Nadolig, a’r Pasg i blant, a chyngherddau Diwrnod Annibyniaeth Wcráin yn Theatr y Grand Abertawe a Sgwâr y Castell. Buom hefyd yn cymryd rhan yng Ngŵyl Croeso Abertawe ac Wythnos y Coroni, ac mae ein grŵp dawns o Wcráin wedi perfformio mewn cartrefi gofal a chanolfannau cymunedol, gan gynnal dosbarthiadau dawns rheolaidd.

Rydym yn mynd ati i gyflwyno diwylliant Wcreinaidd trwy ddigwyddiadau codi arian a gwyliau ledled De Cymru, megis digwyddiadau Taste of Ukraine. Rydym yn anfon llwythi o gyflenwadau meddygol i Wcráin yn rheolaidd, wedi’u cefnogi gan roddion cymunedol. Dros y ddwy flynedd ddiwethaf, rydym wedi anfon bron i 70 metr ciwbig o gymorth, gan gynnwys cyflenwadau meddygol a nwyddau dyngarol.

Mae cefnogaeth y DU i ymfudwyr o Wcráin wedi bod yn rhyfeddol, er bod rhai achosion negyddol wedi cael sylw anghymesur yn y cyfryngau. Mae’n hollbwysig cydnabod nad yw’r achosion hyn yn cynrychioli’r mwyafrif. Mae llawer o bobol o Wcráin yn awyddus i gyfrannu’n gadarnhaol ac integreiddio i’w cymunedau newydd. Gall gwerthfawrogi eu hymdrechion a’u cyfraniadau feithrin gwell agweddau a chynhwysiant.

Mae’r cyfnod heriol hwn yn gyfle unigryw i ddysgu a thyfu. Cofleidiwch eich profiadau yn y DU i ennill gwybodaeth a safbwyntiau newydd ar amrywiaeth a chynhwysiant. Byddwch yn weithgar yn eich cymuned leol a chefnogwch eraill, a fydd yn cyfoethogi eich dyfodol personol a phroffesiynol.