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People around the world want Ukrainian refugees to know they are not alone, and a US-based language learning app is helping to share their message.
More than 5,200 letters, written in 84 languages from 115 countries, have been translated for display on digital billboards in three Eastern European countries where Ukrainians have fled since Russia attacked their country on February 24.
“Love! We are with you in this difficult situation, and although our common past has been difficult, we hope that now we can overcome evil with good and with love,” Iza from Lodz, Poland, wrote in a letter. “We sincerely believe that you will live in a free country!”
An unsigned letter from Dimona, Israel, states: “I want you to know that we are with you and that we understand you, and we have been through tough battles and remained strong, and so should you. You will get through it.”
According to the United Nations, more than 3 million Ukrainians have left their country.
Ukrainian-born CEO of language learning application Preply, which has an office in Kiev, is running the project. Kirill Bigai said he started the campaign in 2012 because the company he co-founded was in a good position to collect and translate letters.
Preply employs 430 language teachers and other workers in 150 countries.
“I urge everyone who reads this, who shares this value, who feels sadness and madness at the face of its terrible impact on human life, to support Ukraine in every way possible,” Mr. Bigai told The Washington Times.
Headquartered in Brookline, Massachusetts, Preply has an office in both Barcelona and the besieged capital of Ukraine.
The company said it started collecting the letters by sharing a web link with its teachers and students. He later posted the link on social media.
Launched Monday, Preply’s interactive online map allows anyone to submit a letter in any language for translation.
The website then displays each letter in its original language, in Ukrainian and English. Indicates the author’s city, optionally, on a global map.
“What happened to you is terrible and unjust,” says an unsigned letter from New York City. “The world cares about you and everything is on your side. Stay strong and keep fighting!”
In a letter translated from Persian from the Afghan capital, Kabul, a man named Hussein writes: “As an Afghan, I wholeheartedly feel the suffering people of Ukraine these days. The Afghan government collapsed six months ago, we were in a crisis and no one knew what would happen tomorrow. The suffering of the Ukrainian people is understandable. My heart hurts for them.”
Preply’s goal is to send 100,000 letters to Ukrainian refugees through its website and billboards.
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