My name is Olga Vorobyova, and I want to share our journey to Canada. It was filled with challenges but also the support of many kind people. My mother, Tetiana, and I are from Kharkiv—a city that became one of the first targets of heavy shelling during Russia's invasion in February 2022. The first days of the war were terrifying: air-raid sirens, explosions, and panic. I remember how people around us were scared and desperate, not knowing what would happen next. At that moment, we realized that we needed to leave the city immediately to save our lives.
We set out for Morshyn, a small town in western Ukraine, where my mother had previously undergone medical treatment. We hoped it would be calmer there, but fear and uncertainty did not leave us. When it became clear that the shelling would not stop, we decided to go abroad and headed to Poland. It was a difficult journey: we stood at the border for 26 hours without food or water, but Polish volunteers on the Ukrainian side provided us with warm tea, food, and blankets. This act of kindness and support was the first ray of hope for us outside Ukraine.
After arriving in Krakow, we stayed there for three weeks, but the situation in Ukraine continued to worsen. Our house in the village of Lyptsi was occupied by Russian forces, which forced us to look for a safer place to live. We went to Portugal, where we faced new challenges: finding long-term housing without employment documents was almost impossible. Our savings quickly dwindled, and I felt increasing despair. But fate introduced us to a kind woman who helped us connect with Dr. Heike, a German veterinarian with a private clinic. She offered us temporary shelter in her home and helped my mother get a job at the café at the local zoo. This was a real lifesaver for us.
Despite relative stability, the start of the tourist season made housing in Portugal unaffordable. We realized that for long-term prospects, we needed to look for new opportunities. My friend Oksana, who was already living in Canada, mentioned that there was a need for ESL teachers due to the large influx of refugees. So, in August 2023, we set out for Canada, hoping for a better life.
Arriving in Hamilton was difficult due to documentation issues; my work permit was not yet ready, and we could not access any support programs for newcomers. Tetiana, a social worker who helped us, supported me emotionally and assured me that this issue could be resolved. Thanks to her advice, I learned about the possibility of “flagpoling” at the Rainbow Bridge in Niagara. On September 5, I crossed the border on foot, returned, and finally received my work permit. I started working as a volunteer coordinator at Grassroots, where I found many friends.
Later, I joined the organization FindHaven, where I helped create a language program for refugees. I became the first teacher and coordinator of the program, and soon we hired several more teachers from different countries. The program quickly expanded thanks to the support of Canadian sponsors and the community, and we began offering classes for refugees from Ukraine, Syria, Afghanistan, and other countries. This work became not only a professional challenge for me but also a personal mission.
My mother also found her place in the new country; she actively volunteered, helping to set up guest houses for newly arrived Ukrainians and supporting the Ukrainian church community, where she prepared meals for those in need. This allowed her not only to feel part of the community but also to find new friends and maintain a connection with her native Ukraine.
My brother Oleksii joined us in March after staying in the U.S. under TPS status. He understood the importance of being together during this difficult time and immediately started helping. With his experience in logistics, he became a coordinator at Grassroots, assisting with furniture transportation for newcomers. Even after establishing his own business in Canada, he continued to actively volunteer, helping families settle and adapt to life in their new country.
We participated in many cultural and charitable events, including fairs and concerts, to support Ukrainians and share our culture. In October 2023, my mother and I represented Ukrainian culture at a multicultural event in Elmira, offering visitors traditional Ukrainian dishes and sharing the history of our country. This not only helped us maintain a connection with our homeland but also fostered a sense of unity with the local community.
Now, a year after arriving in Canada, I can say that we have found a new home and a community that supports us. All of us—my mother, Oleksii, and I—feel that despite all the difficulties, we have managed to build a new life. My work in the language program, my mother’s volunteer efforts at the church, and Oleksii’s contributions to helping newcomers show that even after the toughest trials, it is possible to find the strength to move forward and help others.
Our story is not just about survival, but about the power of unity, support, and the ability to start anew, even in the darkest times. Canada has become a symbol of hope and new opportunities for us, and we strive to use this experience to support others, showing that kindness and solidarity can change lives for the better.
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