As the horrors in Ukraine drag on, so many Canadians have been pondering what they can do to help and are making a difference.
It seems like an ominous task in the big picture, but no matter how small the support might seem, it’s better than doing nothing.
Chemainus’ Catherine Murphy and Steve Chadwick took it upon themselves to come to the aid of a family they’d met only a few years ago. We all hear about Paying It Forward and returning favours, so this was their chance to do exactly that.
It requires some effort, but they’ve both been steadfast in following through on the paperwork and the necessary steps to bring the mother, Oksana, and her children to Canada to live with them temporarily while her husband Roman stays behind near the homestead in Ukraine.
It’s a different take on a refugee situation, if you will, because the family fully intends to return to Ukraine some day when hostilities have subsided rather than applying for permanent immigration status.
The Canadian government has been accommodating in fast-tracking these applications for Ukrainians seeking refuge in Canada. Murphy and Chadwick have been making sure everything’s in place and the family should be here before too long.
It’s a terrible situation in Ukraine, obviously, for one dictator to essentially orchestrate the destruction of a country and force millions to flee the violence and leave their homes behind.
The resilience of the Ukrainians has touched people around the globe and it’s comforting to know there are so many like Murphy and Chadwick who are going the extra mile to provide a safe haven.
Young Danylo will soon show up at Chemainus Elementary School to complete the current school year and looks forward to some stability after a month of turmoil. He’s anxious to learn English.
Chemainus is a very accommodating community, with the generosity of those like Murphy and Chadwick taking the lead, so this will be a great place for the family to settle into a normal lifestyle for a while.