Ukrainian Family thankful for support of Hatters

“Our family we didn’t know what to do. We saw that Canada gives an opportunity for Ukrainians to be safe,” Eva Semeniutina said.

Their journey to Southeastern Alberta came by chance.

“I wrote a post on Facebook on a Facebook group. I write about our family and what situation we have and one family they invite us to their home in Bow island,” she said.

They lived in Bow Island for three weeks with their host family Jodi and Darren Wilson. Just like their journey to Bow Island, their journey to Medicine Hat, also came by chance, and the kindness of people.

“Our family was hungry and we stopped to have burgers at A and W, and we met Joely Augustino, and she is a member of First Assembly of God,” she said.

(submitted photo/CHATNewsToday)

The church banded together and raised enough money for a deposit and three months rent for their home.

“Really we were shocked and pleased about this and in our minds we didn’t understand and didn’t know how it is possible. All Canadian people all they want to do is help,” she said.

One of the people helping them is Nina Krause a member of the church, who now calls the family, friends.

” You know it was an eye-opener for me what we have here, and the fact that they came here with one suitcase each that was it, and it just reminded me of how much we have here,” she said.

Krause speaks Russian, a language both Eva and Oleh speak. She has been helping them access food, supplies and services so they can adapt to life in Medicine Hat.

Nina Krause and three-year-old Eva. (submitted photo/CHATNewsToday)

” I just cannot believe how the people of Medicine Hat have stepped up financially with food, and the necessities of life, their house here. All the stuff here has been donated it is just so overwhelming,” she said.

Eva’s two oldest daughters, 13 and 10 are now attending school and are making friends.

While her two oldest are in school, Eva accesses services through Saamis Immigration, a place she is very grateful for.

“There are two women that helped us Miss Aishat, she did all the paperwork for me and Dayana Garsia. She helped my daughters with schools, with teachers, with going to school. She is very caring with my daughters. She always calls and asks ‘ how are they doing,?”’ she said.

Playing the piano at Crestwood School (submitted photo/CHATNewsToday)

Oleh also recently got a job as a carpenter, and both are in the process of getting their drivers licence. But while they adapt to life in Canada, it is hard not to think about their family back home. Worry is high. For the past four days the family has not been able to reach Oleh’s mother and grandmother in Eastern Ukraine.

” We just ask God to have a connection everyday,” she said.

Their new hope is that one day their family can join them in the place that welcomed them with open arms.

“it is our dream because we want to keep them safe, all of our family, and I think we are very lucky,” she said.

by Tiffany Goodwein

Ukrainian Family thankful for support of Hatters

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