Canada is like a whole new world in so many ways to Ukrainian woman Oksana Pryshlyak and her two children Danyla Badun, 10, and Zlatasvita Badun, 3.

TheyB次元官网网址檙e a long way from home taking refuge in Chemainus to temporarily escape the ravages of war in their homeland and itB次元官网网址檚 been tough for Pryshlyak to leave her husband Roman Badun behind in the Lviv suburb of Vynnyky where they live. But sheB次元官网网址檚 grateful to Catherine Murphy and Steve Chadwick was for taking them in until they can return.

First impressions of Canada for Pryshlyak are B次元官网网址渋tB次元官网网址檚 a big country in terms of area and space,B次元官网网址� she said through ChadwickB次元官网网址檚 interpretation.

Indeed, the country must seem massive and it took a long time to get here after the family left Ukraine and was offered shelter by a private citizen until arrangements could be completed to bring them to Chemainus. Pryshlyak and her husband knew Murphy and Chadwick from previous connections in Ukraine and they were only too happy to return the favour.

ItB次元官网网址檚 been about a month since Pryshlyak and her children have been in Chemainus getting used to a new life until hostilities subside. SheB次元官网网址檚 been learning English through the Cowichan Intercultural Society.

Chadwick and Murphy are parishioners at St. MichaelB次元官网网址檚 Ukrainian Catholic Church in Nanaimo. Chadwick has Ukrainian heritage and knows enough of the language to carry on a conversation with Pryshlyak.

B次元官网网址淲hen we have conversations about specifics about politics, itB次元官网网址檚 a bit more complicated to explain the subtleties that go with it,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 learning all the time, too.B次元官网网址�

The kids are adjusting as well as could be expected.

Murphy has already noticed certain trends in both of them.

B次元官网网址淗eB次元官网网址檚 the science and math guy and sheB次元官网网址檚 going to be the comedian, you can tell,B次元官网网址� laughed Murphy.

They both enjoy jumping on the trampoline at the Murphy and Chadwick home.

B次元官网网址淗is favourite place to go is the beach,B次元官网网址� said Chadwick in relaying DanylaB次元官网网址檚 response.

B次元官网网址淪he loves to go the playground,B次元官网网址� he added of ZlatasvitaB次元官网网址檚 comment.

Murphy said the mom Pryshlyak is a good cook and B次元官网网址渟heB次元官网网址檚 artistic with her presentation.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淪he feels just like sheB次元官网网址檚 at home,B次元官网网址� Chadwick said Pryshlyak told him. B次元官网网址淪he feels very well-received by us.B次元官网网址�

Pat English, an artisan on Thetis Island, recently gave her a dress with a sunflower pattern on it.

The sunflower has been long been UkraineB次元官网网址檚 national flower, but is looked upon now as a symbol of strength and resistance as the nation is fighting.

The family was in Poland three months before finally getting the clearance to come here.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 been really quite a long trip from Ukraine,B次元官网网址� Chadwick said she told him. B次元官网网址淚t was really a hopeful moment when she was finally able to receive the documents and come to Canada.

B次元官网网址淎s soon as the war started, they realized things would have to change and they would have to do things differently whether that was remaining in Ukraine or coming to Canada.B次元官网网址�

Pryshlyak reiterated the feelings of so many Ukrainians when the threat of a Russian invasion first surfaced.

B次元官网网址淚 think it came as a surprise to most people in the country that Russia would have invaded,B次元官网网址� Chadwick related. B次元官网网址淭hey think the threats were to intimidate or scare the population. They didnB次元官网网址檛 believe it would happen.B次元官网网址�

They immediately took precautions in the early days, as people stocked up on food.

B次元官网网址淭hey didnB次元官网网址檛 know if there would be any fruits or vegetables in the stores because things would be emptied,B次元官网网址� noted Chadwick.

Pryshlyak is holding dear the response sheB次元官网网址檚 received since her arrival in Canada.

B次元官网网址淲hen she first arrived at the airport, people were extremely welcoming and kind,B次元官网网址� Chadwick indicated.

B次元官网网址淧eople have been very kind,B次元官网网址� conceded Murphy.

Pryshlyak has been in constant contact with her husband and heB次元官网网址檚 doing well under the circumstances in the safer region of western Ukraine.

B次元官网网址淗e phones us every day,B次元官网网址� said Chadwick.

B次元官网网址淗eB次元官网网址檚 such a jolly guy,B次元官网网址� Murphy offered. B次元官网网址淣o bad things are happening at home.B次元官网网址�

Sometimes it all seems surreal to Pryshlyak about whatB次元官网网址檚 happened in her life.

B次元官网网址淪heB次元官网网址檚 hoping the war will finish by the end of the year,B次元官网网址� Chadwick translated. B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 been a lot of support for Ukraine B次元官网网址� in particular, Canada. It was great Justin Trudeau came a couple of times to the country.B次元官网网址�

Her own leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been like a Rock of Gibraltar throughout the crisis.

B次元官网网址淪he thinks Ukrainians are lucky to have him as a president,B次元官网网址� Chadwick relayed from Pryshlyak. B次元官网网址淪he thinks heB次元官网网址檚 brave and honest and open and heB次元官网网址檚 trying to help Ukraine. Some other leaders have maybe been out for their own self-interest. HeB次元官网网址檚 just really, really hardworking and he was always there. She didnB次元官网网址檛 really like him as a comedian, but he is a good president.B次元官网网址�

Murphy and Chadwick are happy to help, but reserve the highest praise for those who have taken in Ukrainian refugees without ever previously knowing them. Their connection to the family goes back to 2018 when Chadwick first flew to western Ukraine to attend a seminar hosted by the psychology department at the Ukrainian Catholic University in Lviv. The Ukrainian expat friend he brought with him as interpreter contacted Roman Badun, an old school friend, and he offered them a place to stay when none of their credit cards or bank cards worked in Ukraine.

Chadwick, Murphy and their house guests will soon be taking a trip to Drumheller, Alberta to see more of our vast country.

don.bodger@chemainusvalleycourier.ca
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