Emotional reunion for Ukrainian family in Calgary – Calgary | 24CA News

With the conflict raging on in Ukraine, Oksana Konoplia was confronted with a heartbreaking choice. She left her husband and separated her daughter from her dad Max to search out security in Canada,

“It was a hard decision because I never dreamed of leaving my country,” Oksana mentioned. “My husband just said to me, ‘You should go because of the child.”

In June, Oksana and nine-year-old Dasha arrived in Calgary. They’ve been staying with a bunch household since.

“I like to be here right now. I feel safety,” Oksana mentioned. “It was a hard six months without my husband and without parents, with low English. It was hard but this amazing family gave me so much opportunity to live in a normal space.”

Oksana now has a job as a hairstylist and Dasha is enrolled at a southwest Calgary college. Oksana mentioned her English has improved tremendously since she arrived. Both she and her daughter are snug in English dialog and have been settling in with their new life in Calgary. But it wasn’t till December 6 that the household felt like they honestly belonged.

That’s when an early Christmas reward arrived on the Calgary airport — Oksana’s husband Max who had lastly obtained a Canadian visa.

However, the enjoyment of the reunion has been curtailed by devastation again residence of their metropolis of Kryvyi Rih.

On Saturday, emergency crews pulled the physique of a toddler from an condo constructing that was hit by Russian missiles. Officials mentioned 4 individuals have been killed within the strike and 13 extra have been injured.

Oksana’s dad or mum’s residence was not broken however communication is restricted. She mentioned she feels helpless as a result of her dad and mom don’t need to depart the one residence they’ve ever identified.

“I think it’s very scary for them because they don’t speak English and they’ve just lived in one house for their whole lives,” Oksana mentioned. “I can’t do anything, it’s their decision.”

Russia has been pounding the ability grid in Ukraine with missiles and drones as a part of efforts to go away Ukrainian civilians and troopers in the dead of night and chilly this winter. And now that he’s in Canada, Max worries for his sister who lives in Dnipro.

“They don’t have electricity or water and heat in the home. They have just kitchen gas,” Max mentioned.

Max and Oksana mentioned they’re grateful for the help supplied by their Calgary host household, however Wayne Leong says he’s grateful to have the ability to assist.

“It warms my heart to know that we can help some people,” Leong mentioned. “We’re so fortunate in the world we live in here. We take freedom in Canada for granted and all those things, so to have an opportunity to support someone, it’s heartwarming.”

Despite the fixed fear concerning the risks their household again house is dealing with, and their very own unsure future right here, the Konoplia household is aware of the worth of being protected and collectively.

“Finally I am calm inside me,” Oksana mentioned. “Because of our totally different time zones, I couldn’t sleep regular. I’m at all times taking my cellphone and studying some texts with Max a whole lot of instances.

“Right now I am just calm and happy. I can sleep normal.”

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