The first Ukrainians who fled the war arrived in Quebec, with a few suitcases, but a significant emotional baggage, as well as children traumatized by the horrors they experienced.
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Olena Diachenko was a journalist in Berdyansk, Ukraine. She and her family had planned to immigrate to Canada, but the war precipitated their plan.
“Fortunately the papers were well advanced. The war changed the date of our departure, but especially the way of leaving, ”she said during the passage of TVA Nouvelles, Thursday, in her new apartment in the Sainte-Foy sector, in Quebec.
This Ukrainian refused to do the interview inside her apartment. She wants to spare her children aged 12 and 9, who are still troubled by the images of their country taken by storm by the Russians.
It was with a heavy heart that she showed her son’s drawings, which depict Russian military vehicles in flames. “We will fight”, was written in large letters at the top of the drawing.
“Children should not draw war. It hurts to think that my child sees war everywhere. When we left, it was terrible, awful for the children. It’s very traumatic. They heard the explosions. They saw the war”, she assured with emotion.
Like many others, this Ukrainian left her family behind in her homeland. His brother is also fighting against Russian soldiers.
This 42-year-old woman now plans to make her life in Quebec. She has mental health skills and wants to work with refugee children traumatized by the horrors of war.
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Reference-www.journaldemontreal.com