Ukrainian family soon to be reunited in North Battleford

The safety of family members has weighed heavily on the minds of Ukrainians over the last month after Russia invaded Ukraine.

Maryna Shkarupa is originally from Ukraine and has been living in North Battleford since 2013. This weekend, Shkarupa found out her niece had officially been cleared to come to Canada.

Shkarupa’s sister decided to send her 16-year-old daughter to Canada after the invasion. Shkarupa’s mother also is making the trip.

The news of their impending arrival is a huge relief for the family, as the last month has been filled with plenty of uncertainty.

Shkarupa says she can’t wait to reunite with her 16-year-old niece and mother in the coming weeks.

“My mom and my niece will be staying with us, with my family. I’m already preparing a basement suite in my house,” Shkarupa said. “My friends here, they helped me to find furniture so I already have (it) in my basement.”

Shkarupa’s niece is already being registered for school, among other things, to help get her into a somewhat normal setting.

Overall, Shkarupa says bringing her niece to the country was much smoother than anticipated thanks to Canadian government officials.

“It was (a) big stress but Canada’s government makes this process easy,” she said.

The rest of Shkarupa’s niece’s family will be staying in Ukraine and will either fight or take care of others in need.

“My sister is staying in Ukraine because she has her husband and her older son, so she says, ‘I can’t leave them,’ ” Shkarupa said.

Shkarupa says it will be a big culture shock for her niece after what was not an easy move to leave her family behind.

“It’s a big change for her because her mom and her brother are still in this country where it’s dangerous and then her friends, it’s very hard to leave (them) at this age. This is what she’s struggling with now,” Shkarupa said.

However, the support from Canadians to make Ukrainians feel safe and supported here over the past month is something for which Shkarupa is grateful.

Even at work, staff and employees have made her feel comfortable during a difficult time.

“I’m really impressed because I feel big support,” Shkarupa said. “We go here to church and they are so supportive.

“Even after my interview (with 980 CJME/650 CKOM), I had people message me and they say, ‘What do you need? What size sheets (and) clothes?’ Because from Ukraine, they brought us just one thing of clothes.”

Thousands of Ukrainians have already arrived in Canada with plenty more expected in the coming weeks.