These foreigners got in touch through the Facebook page “Let’s host the Ukrainians”.
When we have the will, we want, we find. When you have your eyes open and you look, the needs become so obvious, underlines Michelle Julien. It’s a decision we made as a family. We wanted to do something to help these people.
Tamara Gimazova, her sons and her husband were staying in Turkey with his family when war broke out in Ukraine. It soon became impossible to go home. After many steps and a long journey, the family finally arrived at the Sommer-Juliens. For both families, it was the unknown.
Before they arrived, we didn’t know if they were Muslims, Christians, people who were very religious or not religious at all, what their lifestyles were going to be. We live under the same roof, we share the same kitchen
remarks Ms. Julien.
Both families live in Dunham’s house.
Photo: Radio-Canada / Guylaine Charette
Quickly, the borders fell. If Tamara Gimazova struggles to talk about her country at war, her face lights up when it comes to her arrival in Dunham.
Every day is like a dream for us. We wake up in the morning and we can’t believe we are in Canada. Everything is calm, she remarks. She [Michelle] is so wonderful!*
This feeling is mutual.
It’s going so well. I think I made a friend for life. Not just a friend, but the whole family
exclaims Michelle Julien.
It’s our new family. This little guy [Marat, âgé de 20 mois]Arseniy, everyone there is like our family
adds her husband, Jonathan Sommer.
Jonathan Sommer and Marat.
Photo: Radio-Canada / Guylaine Charette
Arseniy, 13, entered Massey-Vanier High School a week after his arrival.
It is a very perfect place. It’s my favorite country. I had told my mother to come here. It was my dream, and it’s even better than my dream
*, he said enthusiastically.
He was able to meet his first friend, Theo Sommer, at home.
Arseniy Gimazov and his brother Marat, as well as Theo Sommer.
Photo: Radio-Canada / Guylaine
It’s like the first time you go to another country, but the country comes to you. I was surprised there weren’t more differences. There are many things that Ukraine and Canada have in common
underlines Theo, 15 years old.
” There’s a lot more that brings us together that sets us apart, and that’s the key to the deal. »
Lots of bureaucratic challenges
Welcoming this family presents its share of challenges. Tamara needs a driver’s license in particular, as hers remained in Ukraine, indicates Michelle Julien.
It’s really the bureaucracy that I find the most difficult […] It’s a big problem. I’m on the phone for hours, I come across people who don’t really know what’s going on. I have one who found that a memo was sent to the SAAQ that we were going to make exceptions for Ukrainian refugees, because there are plenty of them who arrive without their papers. […] If we could centralize all these processes… To open a bank account, I spent hours on the phone to try, because in addition, we live in a rural area
she laments.
A flag has been installed on the house.
Photo: Radio-Canada / Guylaine Charette
The family also has difficult memories of the war.
” I have many friends in Ukraine and now it’s war. What can I say? It’s awful.* »
Marat Gimazov will be able to accompany his mother to work.
Photo: Radio-Canada / Guylaine Charette
However, the process has some nice surprises. An acquaintance has found accommodation that will be available in July. Tamara will be able to work in a daycare center and take her son there. Her husband, absent at the time of the passage of Radio-Canada, also found work.
With information from Guylaine Charette
*Translated from English by Radio-Canada
Reference-ici.radio-canada.ca