A Ukrainian family has moved to Orillia after finding their footing first in Ramara Township.
Pavlo Slezinskyi, 31, his wife, Anna, 30, and his son, David, 4, escaped war-ravaged Ukraine earlier this year and moved to Canada from Poland in June. With the help of community fundraisers, the Slezinskyis have been well supported in their gut-wrenching journey to getting life back on track.
Anne Belanger and her husband, George, welcomed the Slezinskyis into their Ramara home for the summer months.
“They are doing very well,” Belanger said. “Pavlo has successfully found work, they have an apartment, a vehicle, and it’s all because of the community.”
Belanger speculates that the Slezinskyis would have never gotten established without the help of community members who stepped up to offer money, clothing, food, and even a vehicle.
“They are very happy,” she said. “They feel safe, they feel supported, they have seen the best that Canada has to offer.”
Slezinskyi says he has been working in landscaping this summer, his wife is learning English, and his son, David, is set to begin his education in kindergarten next week.
“A lot of people helped us with anything we’ve needed,” he said. “We are really lucky to be here, and we appreciate everyone who has helped us.”
Slezinskyi says coming to a new country was difficult and, at first, scary.
“We had to change a lot of things,” he said. “We moved to Canada from a different country with different languages, different cultures, and a lot of people have helped us with that, too.”
While the Slezinskyis are enjoying life in Canada, they aren’t sure if they will be living here forever.
“We don’t know yet, but I think we are hoping to get back home to Ukraine once everything is good and war will stop,” he said. “It’s going to be a hard decision.”
The Slezinskyis will be in Canada for at least the next three years. If the war continues it will be even longer.
“We are happy to be here,” he said. “There are no rockets or bombs…We feel safe here.”
Slezinskyi says the people of Canada are wonderful and amazing, which would make it even harder to move back home.
“I’ve never seen people like this before,” he said. “Everybody wants to help with anything.”
For Canadians who would like to help families like the Slezinskyis, he recommends they sign up to host refugee families through icanhelp.host.
