'You have a beautiful sky - there are no explosions': The desperate refugees going through hell as they worry for their children's future

Fourteen-year-old Vladislav sits worried and unsure on a bed with his parents. His mother, Snezhna, 47, tries to continue his education with some home-schooling.

As he is over 60, his father Valentin, 66, is with them at the Brezova Center in Western Slovakia. This is where they have resettled after fleeing the border from war torn Ukraine.

Young Vladislav is already concerned with learning the language of his new home, as heartrendingly he declares: "We have nothing to return to."

"School has been online for me since September," he told the M.E.N.

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"When the conflict started I initially got two weeks of holiday and now I am not sure about the situation.

"I hope school will continue soon. I would like anything that would help me learn English and Slovak as we have nothing to return to so my parents want to stay here."

Vladislav and his family are among 30 refugees helped across the border to Slovakia by volunteers including Manchester University graduate John Green, 26. He was teaching in Ukraine and is now appealing for help with their schooling.

As Russia invaded on February 24, families and children's lives were ripped apart. Schooling stopped in many areas, children were forced to leave their homes and now they are being denied their basic access to an education.

Also at the centre is mum-of-three Anastasia, whose children are aged six, eight and 14.

She can not foresee what is ahead for her and her family and she is hoping her children can have access to learning.

"School stopped for my children on February 24, 2022," she said.

"We are not sure what to expect from the future.

"I would love the kids to have