Alena Neklyudova and her nine-year-old daughter, Sasha Volkova, have left behind their family, including Neklyudova’s husband and a 19-year-old son, who were recruited to fight for Ukraine during the Russian invasion.
While still in Ukraine, they went from place to place to escape the war, finding shelter from bombs in their friends’ apartment building or in accidental basements.
“I still have nightmares about it,” Sasha told CBC Kitchener-Waterloo.
They traveled through Moldova, Romania and Bulgaria before arriving in Turkey – all overnight – before taking a flight to Toronto in March.
Neklyudova said she prepaid $ 2,000 to arrange a place to stay in Montreal before she and her daughter flew to Canada. The package included pickup in Toronto, transfer to Montreal and temporary accommodation.
But when they landed at Pearson International Airport on March 17, no one was there to greet them and it became clear that whoever was taking her money was not going to show up.
With nowhere to go, Neklyudova posted a frantic post on her Facebook page Canada-Hosts Ukrainians, asking for help.
Neklyudova had asked the Facebook Canada-Host Ukrainians Facebook group for help, as she had nowhere to go when she and her daughter landed in Toronto on March 17. (Facebook Team Canada-Host Ukrainians)
Dozens of people responded to her message, including “Sergey” in Cambridge, Ont. CBC News has agreed to grant him confidentiality due to safety and security concerns.
Sergei discovered Neklyudova’s post while scanning various Facebook groups to find out how he could help the refugee effort in Ukraine.
“This was literally an SOS call, like ‘Save ourselves’ because they really had nowhere to go,” he said.
Sergei speaks Russian and also has relatives in Ukraine affected by the war. He said after a quick introduction and exchange of information, he went to the airport the next day to pick up the couple.
“When he came here, they both looked disoriented,” he said.
“Like, ‘Where are we?’ What are we doing here? Do we have to go back? “Sergei said, translating for Neklyudova.
Sasha plays with the cat Ko house. She says she is looking forward to starting classes at a new school in Cambridge, but admits she is a little nervous. (Carmen Groleau / CBC)
“They actually started smiling”
Neklyudova and her daughter have been living with Sergei and his family of six for almost two weeks. He has helped her get organized, either by taking them on a date or by enrolling Sasha in school. Sasha said she is excited to be back at school, but admits she is a little nervous. Neklyudova is also eager to find work and improve her English. “I’m very happy,” said Neklyudova, “since she became involved with Sergei and his family. “They actually started smiling since they were here and connected with some people in the community, even with our neighbors,” Sergei added. Neklyudova said she was grateful for how supportive the community had been since they arrived in Cambridge and hoped she could be reunited with her family once things were settled in Ukraine. “I had no hope a week ago, but now I have,” he said. As for the $ 2,000, there is little hope of seeing it again.
title: “Ukrainian Mom And Daughter Find Comfort In Cambridge Ont. After Bumpy Welcome To Canada " ShowToc: true date: “2022-11-03” author: “Reuben Perez”
Alena Neklyudova and her nine-year-old daughter, Sasha Volkova, have left behind their family, including Neklyudova’s husband and a 19-year-old son, who were recruited to fight for Ukraine during the Russian invasion.
While still in Ukraine, they went from place to place to escape the war, finding shelter from bombs in their friends’ apartment building or in accidental basements.
“I still have nightmares about it,” Sasha told CBC Kitchener-Waterloo.
They traveled through Moldova, Romania and Bulgaria before arriving in Turkey – all overnight – before taking a flight to Toronto in March.
Neklyudova said she prepaid $ 2,000 to arrange a place to stay in Montreal before she and her daughter flew to Canada. The package included pickup in Toronto, transfer to Montreal and temporary accommodation.
But when they landed at Pearson International Airport on March 17, no one was there to greet them and it became clear that whoever was taking her money was not going to show up.
With nowhere to go, Neklyudova posted a frantic post on her Facebook page Canada-Hosts Ukrainians, asking for help.
Neklyudova had asked the Facebook Canada-Host Ukrainians Facebook group for help, as she had nowhere to go when she and her daughter landed in Toronto on March 17. (Facebook Team Canada-Host Ukrainians)
Dozens of people responded to her message, including “Sergey” in Cambridge, Ont. CBC News has agreed to grant him confidentiality due to safety and security concerns.
Sergei discovered Neklyudova’s post while scanning various Facebook groups to find out how he could help the refugee effort in Ukraine.
“This was literally an SOS call, like ‘Save ourselves’ because they really had nowhere to go,” he said.
Sergei speaks Russian and also has relatives in Ukraine affected by the war. He said after a quick introduction and exchange of information, he went to the airport the next day to pick up the couple.
“When he came here, they both looked disoriented,” he said.
“Like, ‘Where are we?’ What are we doing here? Do we have to go back? “Sergei said, translating for Neklyudova.
Sasha plays with the cat Ko house. She says she is looking forward to starting classes at a new school in Cambridge, but admits she is a little nervous. (Carmen Groleau / CBC)
“They actually started smiling”
Neklyudova and her daughter have been living with Sergei and his family of six for almost two weeks. He has helped her get organized, either by taking them on a date or by enrolling Sasha in school. Sasha said she is excited to be back at school, but admits she is a little nervous. Neklyudova is also eager to find work and improve her English. “I’m very happy,” said Neklyudova, “since she became involved with Sergei and his family. “They actually started smiling since they were here and connected with some people in the community, even with our neighbors,” Sergei added. Neklyudova said she was grateful for how supportive the community had been since they arrived in Cambridge and hoped she could be reunited with her family once things were settled in Ukraine. “I had no hope a week ago, but now I have,” he said. As for the $ 2,000, there is little hope of seeing it again.
