Lyonel Doherty, Times Chronicle
A new organization is in dire need of volunteers to help war-torn families from Ukraine make new homes in the South Okanagan.
The Ukraine Nightingale Project has been working non-stop to help displaced families start a new life here, assisting them with flights, housing, food security, paperwork, and employment.
For example, Yuliia and her family fled Chernihiv in April as the Russians shelled their neighbourhood. Following six weeks in a bomb shelter they left everything behind to make their escape.
Bittersweet it is since Yuliia’s husband stayed behind to defend his country from Russian tyranny.
Their four children are now in school learning English, and the family is rapidly assimilating in Oliver. In fact, they have already been volunteering for the Kiwanis Club and the food bank.
Nightingale volunteer Greg Thorp said their dream is to assist these families to make a better life for themselves in the community.
He noted they are trying to make sure these families don’t “fall through the cracks.”
Project co-chair Jennifer Martison said they managed to find a house in Oliver for a family.
“They were nomads . . . those children saw things that children should never have to see, so they are all traumatized.”
Martison said the family finally obtained their travel Visas but didn’t have money for airline tickets. Therefore, a couple of people, including Martison, chipped in to buy the tickets to bring the family to Oliver.
Thorp and Martison are hoping that two upcoming fundraisers (concerts) will raise the awareness of what is needed. For example, they need volunteers to teach Ukrainians day-to-day skills to operate in their new environment. They also need someone who is online savvy to manage Nightingale’s website and social media.
The first concert will be at Venables Theatre on Feb. 23, while the second will be at Cleland Community Theatre in Penticton on Feb. 25. Both, under the banner of “1000 Flights Out,” will raise money for flight costs to bring Ukrainians here.
The concerts will feature the junior Tryzub Ukrainian Dance Society from Calgary.
Nightingale volunteer Dale Dodge from Oliver is doing all of the “horrific” paperwork to get the families here, Martison said. The challenge is removing the restrictions from their Visas for work purposes.
“I cannot imagine a new immigrant, even with a good knowledge of English, ever getting through it all,” said Dodge. “I suppose that is why there are immigration consultants that get paid good dollars to do this.”
Dodge told the Times Chronicle that the respective governments have stepped up with re-settlement and hardship funding to help these “scared, lost, and confused people.”
The Ukrainians also receive work permits as part of their benefits
“They are good people, often well qualified . . . and they are so appreciative of any and all help they are getting.”
Martison said there are strict medical requirements preventing the Ukrainians from working in agriculture, health and with children. They must pass a medical exam but there are only two doctors they can go to in Kelowna. That means transporting them there.
“And now, we’re finding our biggest challenge is translating.”
The group has since engaged a local Russian woman to help in that regard.
Anyone who speaks Ukrainian or Russian is encouraged to step up and assist as a translator.
Martison said everything is overwhelming for these families suffering from culture shock when they arrive.
For example, imagine trying to get your driver’s licence, but first you must pass an eye exam. How do you pass that when you don’t know the English alphabet?
“So, we had to teach them the alphabet so they could pass the eye test, so they could do the written (driver’s) test in Russian, so they could do the driving part of it . . . it’s just complicated,” Martison said.
Thorp noted they are working to get corporate sponsorship for the project, and have had a number of private individuals who have donated. He said that a stamp club in the South Okanagan came forward with a $2,000 donation.
Martison said the Kiwanis donated bicycles to one family, and a bike shop in Osoyoos stepped up to donate $3,000 worth of bicycle safety equipment.
“There’s been lots of support pouring in. I run clothing drives in my neighbourhood; we brought them bags and bags of clothing. Everybody got winter clothes.”
The website, ukrainenightingaleproject.ca has forms where people can “donate now” and sign themselves up as volunteers.
Martison said they currently need a driving coordinator, a secretary, and a technical person.
