The Anishchuk family is enjoying their new life in southern Manitoba after leaving Ukraine during the ongoing war one year ago.
Olena and Oleksandr Anishchuk live in Carman with their 12-year-old son Arkadii and 10-year-old daughter Vira.
Olena first came to Canada in February of 2023 and moved to Carman a month later. She returned to Ukraine to bring her children over and was later joined by her husband. On the second anniversary of the Russian invasion of their homeland, Olena Anishchuk shared her personal story with the Carman-Dufferin Standard.
On Feb. 24, 2022, at 4:30 a.m., the country of Ukraine woke up to loud, terrifying explosions. Rockets were flying from all sides. Kilometre-long convoys of Russian military equipment crossed the state border, and landing ships were coming in from the sea.
It was the beginning of the Russo-Ukrainian War, which has been an ongoing conflict for the past two years.
“It was difficult to understand how this could happen in the 21st century,” said Olena Anishchuk. “More than 80 years have passed since the attack of Hitler’s army, which caused lost lives, war hunger, devastation, and terrible memories of five years of war for the veterans.”
For Anishchuk and her family, their livers were forever changed after Russia invaded Ukraine.
“For a long time, we did not find the words to explain to the children why dad is at home and not at work, why we would stock up on water and food, until we had to run to the sounds of an air alarm to the parking garage of a nearby high-rise building together with our neighbours,” said Olena Anishchuk. “We slept together in a remote room with dimmed lights to camouflage us from enemy planes and drones and gathered the necessary documents and things in case the occupiers broke into the city. Around the clock, we followed the news from the front from all possible sources. We learned with horror the destruction throughout the country, such as mass murders, territorial occupation, the seizure of nuclear power plants, etc.”
In those difficult first days of the war, Ukrainians rallied as they organized the construction of defence structures in their cities, provided the military and territorial defence representatives with the necessary things such as food, warm clothes, hygiene and medical products, and stood in line at centers to donate blood or to join the army.
Despite everything that Russia had thrown at them, Ukraine persevered and is still fighting vigorously to this day.
“Currently, our military is repelling around the clock the numerous attacks by occupation forces which far outnumber our army in terms of men and equipment accumulated by the enemy over decades of wars of aggression. The majority of Ukrainians and citizens of other countries transfer funds for the purchase of everything necessary for the Ukrainian army. Support from partner countries is very important, both in terms of military equipment and financial assistance. Also, many countries opened their doors to protect millions of Ukrainians who were forced to leave their homes in order to preserve the most valuable thing, the life and health of their children.”
Anishchuk and her family came over last year under the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) program. Help centers for newly arrived Ukrainians were created in all major cities of Canada to help with finding housing and work, organizing language courses and clubs, completing necessary documents, medical insurance and psychological support.
“We were lucky to meet extremely kind, sensitive and caring people, who introduced us to the picturesque town of Carman, where we have been living and working for almost a year.”
After many years of work in the geodesic field back in Ukraine, when she arrived in Canada, Anishchuk discovered a new profession as a meat cutter at the local Co-op food store in Carman.
“Our children study in local schools, where caring and talented teachers work, who, with all their love, give valuable knowledge, important skills and protection every day. My relatives and Ukrainian friends also live in Carman and work at local enterprises, contributing to the development and prosperity of the community. The only difficulty in the process of successful social integration in a new country is a good command of English and French, learning which requires some time and effort, but is not a significant obstacle for a comfortable stay, because the local population treats newcomers with respect and understanding.”
For hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians and for the Anishchuk family, it was a difficult but important decision to find shelter in a safe country such as Canada. The Anishchuks are extremely grateful to the Manitoba provincial government and Canadian government and to all the citizens of this country for their help, support and love.
“I want to express my gratitude to our Canadian friends and all residents of the wonderful, cozy town of Carman for the care, devotion, sincerity, and warmth in your hearts, as well as for providing all the necessary household items, knowledge and experience to build a new life in Friendly Manitoba.”
