Anya Zakharenkova remembers hearing her mother cry on the phone from Ukraine in February, when the Russian invasion began. Zaharenkova now lives in Halifax, but has worked as a hairdresser on Prince Edward Island for years.
Her mother said her 91-year-old grandmother, who is blind and in a wheelchair, was too shocked to know what was happening. The whole family, including Zaharenkova’s father and aunt, sought refuge in a subway tunnel in their hometown of Kharkov. While there, they found a dog living in a box, so they put it away.
“They were not prepared for any of this [war]. So it was a big shock and a big surprise for everyone, “Zaharenkova said.
Now, months later, her family – including the rescue dog – has arrived at PEI and lives in Zaharenkova’s house in northern Rustico. They are among thousands of Ukrainians who have fled places in Canada, including the PEI
Zaharenkova with the rescue dog her family took back to their hometown of Kharkiv, Ukraine. (Presented by Anya Zaharenkova)
Zaharenkova returned to the Island from NS for a few days to help her family settle in, and she wants the community’s support for things like household items.
“They are very happy to be here,” she told CBC’s Island Morning.
“They still feel like strangers here, so I really need the community to make them feel at home.”
“Every day is a little better”
The community has already responded to her call.
Neighbors and local organizations have been generous in donating items such as beds, mattresses and towels, she said.
The refrigerator in the house was damaged, so someone came every day to deliver food, and she managed to raise more than $ 5,000 for the family at GoFundMe, Zaharenkova said.
“Every day is a little better.”
Zaharenkova, left, says she was shocked to see her family arrive in Halifax with so little: just a backpack and a shopping bag with dog food and some medicine for her grandmother. (Presented by Anya Zaharenkova)
Her mother loves gardening, her father paints, and her grandmother loves to sit on the porch and enjoy the island’s spring.
They are trying to return to the life they left behind, Zaharenkova said, but the family is still working on their long journey to reach the island.
“They wake up every day and say, ‘It looks like a dream, it doesn’t look real.’
Zaharenkova said that when the family fled Ukraine, their homes were uninhabitable. Utilities were cut off due to the war, and loud explosions were heard day and night.
A resident of the island she knew helped connect the family with someone in Poland who would receive them. The family then began applying for visas, with free help on documents from a lawyer in Halifax. They vaccinated the dog and prepared the documents for him.
Just days before boarding the plane, her grandmother’s visa was revoked, but it was decided thanks to a Halifax lawyer, she said.
Zaharenkova said she was surprised when she picked up her family when they arrived in Halifax.
“They had nothing, but I didn’t expect to see it [them with] like a small backpack and grocery bag with them. “They really came with dog food and medicine for Grandma,” Zaharenkova said.
“Part of this Canadian life”
The family was in Halifax for two months before moving to her North Rustico property.
The family is working to get the house back in good condition. The pipes are clogged and need repair. The fridge is broken, so they ask the community to see if anyone is selling a used one.
The family is working to return the house in North Rustico in good condition. Pictured here is their refrigerator, which is broken and cannot be repaired. (Presented by Anya Zaharenkova)
Zaharenkova will leave for Halifax next week. She said her father-in-law, who still lives on PEI, could help the family and take them to town if they needed anything.
They are turning to other Ukrainians on the Island and will soon contact the PEI’s Association of Immigrant and Refugee Services (IRSA) to take English lessons.
“I knew they only talked like ‘We need to speak English’ every day.” And I think they want to do something, or maybe volunteer and join the community, or maybe have a part-time job, “she said.
“I feel like they want to be a part of this, you know, Canadian life.
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