Her mother told her that her 91-year-old grandmother, who is blind and in a wheelchair, was too shocked to understand what was happening. The whole family, including Zakharenkova’s father and aunt, sought refuge in a subway tunnel in their hometown of Kharkiv. While there, they found a dog living in a box and so they took him inside. “They were not prepared for any of this [war]. “So it was a big shock and a big surprise for everyone,” said Zakharenkova. Now, months later, her family – including the rescue dog – has arrived at the PEI and lives at Zakharenkova’s house in North Rustico. It is among the thousands of Ukrainians who have taken refuge in places in Canada, including the PEI Zakharenkova with the rescue dog received by her family in their hometown of Kharkov, Ukraine. (Submitted by Anya Zakharenkova) Zakharenkova has returned to the island from NS for a few days to help her family settle in and is seeking community support for things like household items. “They are very happy to be here,” he told CBC’s Island Morning. “They still feel like strangers here, so I really need the community to make them feel at home.”
“Every day is a little better”
The community has already responded to its call. Neighbors and local organizations were generous, donating items such as beds, mattresses and towels, he said. The refrigerator in the house is broken, so every day someone passes by to deliver food and managed to raise over $ 5,000 for the family at GoFundMe, Zakharenkova said. “Every day is a little better.” Zakharenkova, left, says she was shocked to see her family arriving in Halifax with so little: just a backpack and a dog-packed shopping bag and some medicine for her grandmother. (Submitted by Anya Zakharenkova) Her mother enjoys gardening, her father paints and her grandmother loves to sit on the terrace enjoying the island’s spring. They are trying to return to the life they left behind, Zakharenkova said, but the family is still working on her many-month journey to reach the Island. “Every day they wake up and say, ‘It seems like a dream, it does not seem true.’ Zakharenkova said that when the family left Ukraine, her property back home was lifeless. Utilities were cut off due to the war and loud explosions were heard day and night. An islander he knew helped the family connect with someone in Poland who would accept them. The family then began applying for a visa, with free paperwork from a Halifax lawyer. They vaccinated the dog and prepared his documents. A few days before boarding the plane, her grandmother’s visa was revoked, but this was settled thanks to Halifax’s lawyer, she said. Zakharenkova said she was surprised to pick up her family when they arrived in Halifax. “They had nothing, but I did not expect to see [them with] like a small backpack and a grocery bag with them. “They really came with, for example, dog food and some medicine for grandma,” said Zakharenkova.
“Part of this Canadian life”
The family was in Halifax for two months before moving to North Rustico. The family is working to get the house back in good condition. The pipes are clogged and need repair. The fridge is broken, so they ask the community to see if anyone is selling a used one. The family is working to restore the home in North Rustico to good condition. In the photo here is their refrigerator, which is damaged and not repaired. (Submitted by Anya Zakharenkova) Zakharenkova will leave for Halifax next week. She said her father-in-law, who still lives in PEI, can help the family and take her to town if they need anything. They have contacted other Ukrainians on the island and will soon contact the PEI’s Immigration and Refugee Services Association (IRSA) to attend English classes. “I knew they were talking every day just saying ‘We have to speak English.’ “And I think they want to do something or maybe do it voluntarily and join the community or maybe they have some part-time jobs,” he said. “I feel like they want to be a part of this Canadian life.”
