The West Shore Local Hero Awards are back! You can find this yearB次元官网网址檚 special feature in the March 22 edition of the Goldstream Gazette or online under e-editions. Stay tuned for more on each of this yearB次元官网网址檚 honourees, you will also be able to read their stories online at goldstreamgazette.com/tag/local-hero-awards.
Like most heroes, Brian and Sharon Holowaychuk - who run Ukrainian Safe Haven - donB次元官网网址檛 view themselves as such.
Their work, powered by community members across Greater Victoria, is simply an effort to make the lives of Ukrainian refugees better.
It all started when the couple purchased a stunning piece of land about 40 minutes outside of Victoria, between Langford and Sooke. Their goal at the time was to make it BrianB次元官网网址檚 retirement project, restoring the historic buildings on the property to transform them into a resort.
But when Russia invaded Ukraine in late February 2022, Brian said all that changed. His grandparents had come to Canada as children and when he and his wife saw the inhumanity of the Russian invasion, they knew they had to do something.
B次元官网网址淭his is about humanity,B次元官网网址� Brian said of the project. B次元官网网址淭hese people are going through events that should not be happening on this planet today.B次元官网网址�
In essence, the message of Ukrainian Safe Haven is hope, but Brian said what his guests have gone through will continue for many more in Ukraine.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e in this for the long haul,B次元官网网址� Brian said. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e committed to helping the Ukrainian people as long as they need help. Hopefully the war ends tomorrow but realistically I think this is going to go on for a long time.B次元官网网址�
Still, after the exhaustion fades and a sense of safety sinks in, Sharon said the children that stay with them revert back to being just that.
READ MORE: Collaboration provides comfort for families at Ukrainian Safe Haven
B次元官网网址淲hen they get to us, theyB次元官网网址檙e so tired and traumatized too, but before you know it the children are just running and playing with the other children,B次元官网网址� Sharon said. B次元官网网址淚t is so rewarding to see them happy and care-free.B次元官网网址�
The Holowaychuks said the difference they are making in these lives are a reflection of the generosity and kindness of the community around them.
Because they cover all the basic necessities, such as food and rent free of charge, Ukrainian Safe Haven depends on the community for a lot of things, but people also go a step beyond.
From the basics to more time-intensive things such as English language education, driving lessons and tours around the area, Brian said the community has been integral in the work theyB次元官网网址檝e done.
B次元官网网址淲e are a registered charity and weB次元官网网址檙e running 100 per cent off donations,B次元官网网址� Brian said. B次元官网网址淭he community has been tremendous supporters of our project, all the way through and they continue to this day. The community is a big part of our project, we could not do it by ourselves. It would be impossible.B次元官网网址�
Though the Holowaychuks do so much for the families that stay with them, they said the real hero status goes to the Ukrainian people, who have made it so far and gone through so much.
B次元官网网址淭hey come basically with a suitcase, everything else in their world, they have had to leave behind,B次元官网网址� Brian said. B次元官网网址淎s appreciative as we are for this award, we donB次元官网网址檛 view ourselves as the heroes here. The Ukrainian people are the heroes and weB次元官网网址檙e just trying to help.B次元官网网址�
To donate to Ukrainian Safe Haven visit .
READ ALSO: Sooke quilters sewing warm welcome for Ukrainian refugees
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