Montrealer in Slovakia helping loved ones flee Ukraine

Montrealer Michelle Dandik Zaale left Canada to help get her 87-year-old grandmother, her family, friends, and strangers, out of Ukraine.

The 27-year-old says she and her relatives are now in Slovakia, which shares a border with Ukraine, and are helping others to safety. Her grandmother was just meters away when Russian bombs dropped near their home.

“We realized more and more immediate family had to escape, and they didn’t have a choice,” explained Zaale.

Before moving to Montreal with her family in 2000, she spent her childhood in Ukraine.

Her initial reaction to the invasion – shock – but getting her loved ones to safety was top of mind.

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Zaale’s mother, Oxana, left Quebec first, and she followed days later – helping with documents and translations.

“If you’re here nearby or in any country, it’s very similar just supporting and helping as much as possible,” she says.

Zaale’s sister, Val Dandik Evans, lives in the United States, and is helping from afar. Holding rallies in her community of Apex, North Carolina, and collaborating with friends around the world to help Ukrainians get to safety.

“The Ukrainian culture, Ukrainian people, the community spirit is so strong that every little bit helps,” says Evans. “We need to continue the efforts.”

Evans is especially proud of everything her sister is doing.

“I was very proud of her knowing that we have immediate family that left Ukraine and we were able to help evacuate them into a neighbouring country,” says Evans.

Now that their friends and family are safe, the sisters have taken to the internet to raise funds for other Ukrainian families in need.

“In about a week I’m flying to go back home,” says Zaale. “I hope to do as much as I can in this time.”