Dunham couple Michelle Julien and Jonathan Sommer and their son Theo welcomed a Ukrainian family of two adults and two children into their home on May 14. Since then, they have been side by side for their day. -day life.
These foreigners interacted through the Facebook page “Let’s host the Ukrainians”.
When we have the will, we want, we seek. When you open your eyes and you look, the needs become very clear, Michelle Julien underlined. It was a decision we made as a family. We want to do something to help these people.
Tamara Gimazova, her children and her husband were staying in Turkey with her family when the war broke out in Ukraine. It soon became impossible to go home. After many steps and a long journey, the family finally arrived in Sommer-Juliens. For both families, this is unknown.
Before they came, we didn’t know if they were Muslims, Christians, very religious people or not even religious, what their lifestyle would be. We live on the same roof, the same kitchenthe language is Ms. Julien.
Boundaries fell quickly. If Tamara Gimazova finds it difficult to speak about her country at war, her face glows when it comes to her arrival in Dunham.
Every day is like a dream for us. We woke up in the morning and we couldn’t believe we were in Canada. Everything is calm, he said. He [Michelle] napakaganda!*
This feeling is mutual.
It’s going well. I think I had a friend for life. Not just friends, but whole familyexclaimed Michelle Julien.
This is our new family. This little man [Marat, âgé de 20 mois]Arseniy, everyone there is like our familyadded his wife Jonathan Sommer.
Arseniy, 13, attended Massey-Vanier High School a week after his arrival.
This is a very perfect place. This is my favorite country. I told my mother to go here. That was my dream, and even more beautiful than my dream*, he said cheerfully.
He met his first friend, Theo Sommer, at home.
It’s like the first time you go abroad, but the country goes to you. I was surprised that there were no more differences. Ukraine and Canada have many similaritiesunderlined Theo, 15 years old.
” We still have a lot together that separates us, and that’s the key to the deal. “
There are many bureaucratic challenges
Accepting this family shows part of its challenges. Tamara needed a driver’s license especially, since she stayed in Ukraine, Michelle Julien said.
This is really the bureaucracy that is most difficult for me […] This is a big problem. For a few hours I was on the phone, I met people who didn’t really know what was going on. I found out that a memo was sent to SAAQ that we will make exceptions for Ukrainian refugees, as many of them arrive without papers. […] If we could center all these processes … To open a bank account, I spent some time on the phone to try, because other than that, we live in a rural area.he moaned.
The family also has poor memories of the war.
” I have many friends in Ukraine and now war. What can I say? Grabe.* “
However, the process came with some nice surprises. An acquaintance found accommodation that would be available in July. Tamara will be able to work at a daycare center and take her child there. Her husband, who was absent at the time of Radio-Canada’s passing, also found work.
There is information from Guylaine Charette
*Translated from the English by Radio-Canada
Source: Radio-Canada
