Montreal’s Ukrainian community, newcomers hoping for end of war, better 2023
Posted December 31, 2022 4:22 pm.
Last Updated January 1, 2023 11:31 am.
The Montreal Centre for Ukrainian Newcomers celebrated the holidays and the new year with festivities for children.
The community is hoping 2023 will be better than 2022.
“The one hope that the war is going to stop. It’s the one wish everyone has,” said Olga Sakhnina with the Centre for Ukrainian Newcomers.
“They need our kindness now more than everyone,” added Olga Yefimova, a Ukrainian immigrant. “They need our support. They need to understand that they are not alone.”
Many members of the Montreal Ukrainian community joined in to help make this holiday season and new year a special one for newcomers.
Galyna lykhoshva, a tour guide with the Pointe-À-Callière Museum, is doing her part by offering tours for Ukrainians to discover their new city during the most magical time of the year.
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“We were just living our lives,” said Yefimova, the owner of Party BOOOM, which organizes kids’ parties. “But there, their life changed completely and they didn’t want it. They didn’t deserve it. And over. They wanted to see the smile on their kids’ faces.”
“Now, magic time for everyone,” added Sakhnina. “So we hope the kids are going to be more happy. Because that situation… it’s so difficult for them to know, to understand why they came here.”
WATCH: Ukrainian family reflects on new life in Quebec
The centre, ran entirely by volunteers, has helped more than 4,000 Ukrainian evacuees get settled in their new lives in Quebec.
It has been hosting events to help children and parents escape from the reality of war in their home country – at least for a little while.
“It was in Ukrainian,” said Sakhnina. “So they understood what happened and they were so happy. So I’m happy to see the kids smiling. I’m so happy for that.”
“I just want to wish to everyone, be strong inside and be kind and be happy,” added Yefimova.
