Our Ukraine Family

[Pigskin]

So we are one of the fortunate family's in Manitoba to share our home with a Ukraine family. It's been a process but they have been with us now for the past 6 days and so far everything is going very well. The first two days the family pretty much kept to themselves, except for a grocery shopping trip and lesson on how to use the washing machine. Mornings the family spends on there our, and we are not home for lunch most days. However starting on the 3rd. night both family's have been eating supper together.

For the most part all three members of the family speak very good English. Reading and writing for the children is something they are working on. Inna (Mother). has a check list as she knows she is isn't going home anytime soon. Vaccination, job, drivers license, her own apartment. In 6 days, vaccinated, job, and will probably get her drivers license tomorrow as Ukraine has a deal with Manitoba on reciprocal drivers license. I could give her an apartment at one of our apartment blocks, but as she indicated she probably couldn't make the bills right now.

One thing I can tell you about this family is, they want nothing for free. They are willing to work hard for everything they get. 

 

[blue_gold_84]

Thank you for sharing this and for taking in a family displaced by such atrocious events.

[Pigskin]

My wife's grandparents lived in the Ukraine until 1955 when they came to Canada and became farmers. Until the war started she still had relatives in a small town called Ustyluh, I hope I spelled that right.

 

[Pigskin]

Today Inna got her drivers license. $65 and a photo ID and the deal was done. When out for a little practice this afternoon. This is a big step in giving this family some independence, and getting her to the nursing home when she starts working on June 13th.

[Jesse]

Today Inna got her drivers license. $65 and a photo ID and the deal was done. When out for a little practice this afternoon. This is a big step in giving this family some independence, and getting her to the nursing home when she starts working on June 13th.

That's amazing.

She got a job?

[Pigskin]

That's amazing.

She got a job?

She will start work on June 13th. Apparently she was a nurse back in the Ukraine. Right now she has to wait to see if she has the right education to become a nurse in Canada. So she felt the next best thing would be to work at a nursing home because they need staff right now.

[Jesse]

Awesome.

Just a great thing you guys are doing.

[Pigskin]

Big morning. Doctor's app. Everything went well and they like there new Doctor so that should workout well.

Then off to our Dentist. That didn't go as well. Both Children need a couple of filling and a cleaning. Mom needs a couple of fillings and a tooth pulled, and a good cleaning. I told the receptionist to bill us for the work, and we set up appointments. 20 minutes later my wife got a text from the receptionist saying that the office will be covering the work for the family, and any other work they need for the next year. I can tell you that brought tears to my eyes. So may nice people helping to get this family and ours in Winnipeg settled into there new life.
 

[theaardvark]

Big morning. Doctor's app. Everything went well and they like there new Doctor so that should workout well.

Then off to our Dentist. That didn't go as well. Both Children need a couple of filling and a cleaning. Mom needs a couple of fillings and a tooth pulled, and a good cleaning. I told the receptionist to bill us for the work, and we set up appointments. 20 minutes later my wife got a text from the receptionist saying that the office will be covering the work for the family, and any other work they need for the next year. I can tell you that brought tears to my eyes. So may nice people helping to get this family and ours in Winnipeg settled into there new life.
 

Not sure if you dentist would like the recognition for their generosity, or if they need any business, but I am sure there are a lot of people here looking for dental work that might like to reward them with business to help cover the costs they are absorbing. 

[Pigskin]

I wouldn't even ask him that because he doesn't do stuff like this for the attention or to build his business. We are all just trying to help these family's adapt to a new country and a new life.

[theaardvark]

I would even ask him that because he does do stuff like this for the attention or to build his business. We are all just trying to help these family's adapt to a new country and a new life.

Not sure I understand your post... I assume you meant wouldn't and doesn't... 

It is not surprising, but refreshing, the number of stories we are hearing about how these refugees are being accepted and assisted in our communities. 

[Pigskin]

33 days since Inna has spoken to her husband. We can tell this is weighing very heavy on her mind. She puts on a brave face for the kids. She told us tonight, my husband is either dead or is in a prison camp. He was a factory worker, not a soldier. I don't think he fired a gun before the war. I can not watch CNN, I can not. I don't want to see what Putin is getting away with any more. Some days I want to quit, but I have children I must push on. All I have left are my children.

It's one thing to watch it on TV. totally different to have someone sitting in your living room that lived in a bomb shelter and has lost so many friends and family. Sad, just so sad.   

[Jesse]

I can't imagine.

[blue_gold_84]

What a depressing world.

[Pigskin]

33 days since Inna has spoken to her husband. We can tell this is weighing very heavy on her mind. She puts on a brave face for the kids. She told us tonight, my husband is either dead or is in a prison camp. He was a factory worker, not a soldier. I don't think he fired a gun before the war. I can not watch CNN, I can not. I don't want to see what Putin is getting away with any more. Some days I want to quit, but I have children I must push on. All I have left are my children.

It's one thing to watch it on TV. totally different to have someone sitting in your living room that lived in a bomb shelter and has lost so many friends and family. Sad, just so sad.   

39 days now. Just got word that he was wounded, but in Poland now. Apparently he will have to spend 30-45 days there before he can come to Canada. Small chance he mite have been exposed to a chemical. Inna doesn't know yet, but my wife is planning on buying two tickets and fly with her to Poland to see her husband in about 10 days. We have already contacted the nursing home and they give her the time off to see her husband. Lots of tear, this time there tears of joy.

[Jesse]

39 days now. Just got word that he was wounded, but in Poland now. Apparently he will have to spend 30-45 days there before he can come to Canada. Small chance he mite have been exposed to a chemical. Inna doesn't know yet, but my wife is planning on buying two tickets and fly with her to Poland to see her husband in about 10 days. We have already contacted the nursing home and they give her the time off to see her husband. Lots of tear, this time there tears of joy.

Wow.

[blue_gold_84]

That's a pretty heart-wrenching update. Glad he's okay and will hopefully be able to travel soon.

[Pigskin]

That's a pretty heart-wrenching update. Glad he's okay and will hopefully be able to travel soon.

We are hearing 30 days minimum. Good news is he wasn't shot. He was injured when a bomb hit the build they where held up in. Sounds like broken arm and leg, and lot of abrasions. Both operation went help and he is resting. We are trying to set up a video chat today or tomorrow. How have to wonder how many women from the Ukraine are going thought this right now.

[Pigskin]

Inna's first day of work tomorrow. Should be an interesting day with me looking after 4 kids.

[Pigskin]

Well it sounds like Inna's first day was pretty uneventful. The only thing she had to say was, there are not enough nurses per residents. In the Ukraine it's 4-1, today she looking after 10 people. Not much 1 on 1 time.

Normally every morning the kids had oatmeal, today since I was in charge of breakfast, it was a peach/banana protein shake and bacon/egg/spinach muffins.

Tomorrow the kids go to the dentist for dental work. That could be interesting.

[theaardvark]

Well it sounds like Inna's first day was pretty uneventful. The only thing she had to say was, there are not enough nurses per residents. In the Ukraine it's 4-1, today she looking after 10 people. Not much 1 on 1 time.

Normally every morning the kids had oatmeal, today since I was in charge of breakfast, it was a peach/banana protein shake and bacon/egg/spinach muffins.

Tomorrow the kids go to the dentist for dental work. That could be interesting.

Pretty sad indictment of our health care system when we are that much worse than Ukraine.  No dis meant for Ukraine, the post Soviet governments have done huge improvements in quality of life, and the current regime was weeding our corruption well until they were attacked.  But still, that comment justifies a lot of our complaints about health care in Canada / Manitoba.

[Pigskin]

Well the dentist is over with and there was no cry, not even by me. lol  Had to stop by McDonald's to pickup a few milkshakes and smoothies. Kids are watching Sing 2, with a ice bag on there face sucking on a milkshake.

[Pigskin]

Well Inna has completed her first week of work in Canada.

[Jesse]

Well Inna has completed her first week of work in Canada.

Any other word on her husband?

[Pigskin]

Any other word on her husband?

Sounds like his respiratory issues have improved. However he will probably never run a marathon. Other then that most of his injuries are healing up nicely. Visit to Poland is on the 23rd.

[Pigskin]

I have been the baby sitter, for the past week and nearly a half. But tomorrow the kids are off to a Ukraine school for rest of the week. So great chance for me and the Grandson's to head back to Kenora for some fishing. It's been fun but I was running out of lunch ideas. lol.

[Pigskin]

Ladies are back tonight. It sound like the trip went very well. He is just waiting for the Canadian Government to approve his visa. He is a Millwright, and a fabrication welder. He has already has an offer for a job at a very large plant in the St. James industrial park. Just needs to get to Canada.