Sofia Slobodeniuk came to Sooke a year ago with her two children, the necessary paperwork, a few items of clothes, and very little English.

B次元官网网址漌e left our country during the most challenging time in March 2022,B次元官网网址� said the 30-year-old single mother from western Ukraine.

In an effort to provide a secure environment for her children, she decided to relocate them from Ukraine to Slovakia. She quickly gathered essential documents and clothing, with just half an hour to prepare before their departure.

B次元官网网址淚t was a terrible time in west Ukraine. Lots of people were coming from other parts of the country. People were running like rats from a sinking ship. I left my apartment and some food for people from the worst areas,B次元官网网址� Slobodeniuk said.

It took two days to walk to Slovakia.

Once there, Slobodeniuk got a call from a friend who explained how to go about getting a visa to come to Canada. This process took six months to complete.

B次元官网网址淚 didnB次元官网网址檛 know anything about Canada, other that it was the second largest country and very cold,B次元官网网址� she said in improving English, assisted by a translation app on her phone.

B次元官网网址淓verything I learned about Canada I got from Google,B次元官网网址� she said, with a smile.

After Slobodeniuk found out she had an opportunity to come to Canada, she took an unconventional, intuitive approach to deciding where she wanted to live.

B次元官网网址淚 marked B.C., Quebec, Manitoba, and Alberta on pieces of paper and stood on each one for a few minutes,B次元官网网址� she explained. B次元官网网址淚 did it again, and both times I felt best about B.C.B次元官网网址�

She found a group on Facebook, Help Ukraine Vancouver Island Society, that said they would help her. She received a message from them about a host family in Sooke within a couple of days.

B次元官网网址淲e had a meeting online, and Sarah and Matthew (Levine) opened the door for my family,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淭hey also helped me purchase airline tickets. They were quite expensive, and a lot of people helped them with that. They have two kids similar ages and that really helped my kids. I am really grateful for their help and support.B次元官网网址�

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Matthew Levine and his wife, Sarah, had already sponsored a family from Ukraine before reaching out to host the Slobodeniuks.

B次元官网网址淲e have extra space in our house, and wanted to help Ukrainians, especially young families facing all the turmoil over there and the terrible war thatB次元官网网址檚 still going on,B次元官网网址� Matthew Levine said.

B次元官网网址淲e set up a GoFundMe page and friends donated $25 or $50, with one friend generously giving $500 to help with the airline tickets. What weB次元官网网址檙e doing is one small part of Ukraine Vancouver Island SocietyB次元官网网址檚 efforts. Sofia is an amazing woman, very kind, gregarious and entrepreneurial, and a very talented baker and cook. Her kids are great as well, very kind and helpful.B次元官网网址�

Although Slobodeniuk worked as a foot specialist in Ukraine for six years, her training and experience are not recognized here, just one of the many challenges sheB次元官网网址檚 been dealing with since her arrival.

B次元官网网址淚 need medical education here to do what I did in Ukraine,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淭here are many barriers to do that in Canada, including language. It requires lots of money and lots of time. It would take me 10 years to save enough for the training.B次元官网网址�

Time is a precious commodity for Slobodeniuk, who begins her day getting her children, aged eight and six, ready for school. Then itB次元官网网址檚 off for two hours of English lessons from 9 a.m. to 11 before she heads to Vibe Hair Studio, where she works until 7 p.m.

B次元官网网址淚 want to become a permanent resident but I need to work a full day, and daycare can be a huge problem,B次元官网网址� she noted.

Fortunately, one of the other seven families staying at Ukrainian Safe Haven has been able to pick up her kids after school.

B次元官网网址淔or me, itB次元官网网址檚 been a year of unprecedented events and great challenges,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淚 miss my family, my friends, my boyfriend, my work, my dreams and the life we had in Ukraine. My children have changed schools in Ukraine, Slovakia and Canada, four times in one year.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e made it through the first year and done whatever it takes to survive, I think IB次元官网网址檓 ready to face the next year here. It is difficult to talk about the far-sighted future, because everything was taken from me on the morning of Feb. 24. Russia took away our home and broke our dream, but will never take away our freedom.B次元官网网址�

Slobodeniuk emphasized how grateful she is to Ukrainian Safe Haven and everyone who has helped her family.

B次元官网网址滻 live day to day, but I am surrounded by happy people,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淚 am especially proud of my son. He only knew four words of English when we arrived, yes, no, hello, and apple. And now he can speak freely with his friends at school.B次元官网网址�