Less than 48-hours after arriving in Port Hope two Ukrainian families are settling in to their temporary homes.
The two young families came from Odessa, Ukraine at the beginning of the Russian invasion and finally arrived in Port Hope on Monday evening.
On Tuesday April 12, 2022, the families each have one child (four-years-old) made their way around Port Hope to sign up for documents and other important items.
One of the people the two men, Jay and Vadym met was Stephen Henderson who owns Henderson Construction.
Henderson said he knows Tom VanBuren and his wife Kelly who are hosting one of the Ukraine families.
“They called and asked me if I had any potential work to get their families immersed into the work culture and get some money coming in.”
Henderson met families on Tuesday and said both men were “very eager” to get to work.
Henderson said it was more like a “meet and greet” and get to know the men.
“I said “take your time whenever you’re ready in the next month or two – get yourself sunk in and accustomed to Port Hope” when Vadym said, “we sat for two months we’re starting tomorrow.”
“They are absolutely stunning and amazing individuals,” said Henderson.
“They’re incredibly personable, very happy and I think eager to work.”
So eager in fact, that Henderson had to tell them to stop and take a break.
Taking a short break, Jay said he feels “broke” on the inside missing his family and parents in Odessa.
Jay was a bartender and videographer.
He keeps his phone close to him where he can try and keep updates on his home country.
Taking two months to get to Canada going from country to country Jay said it was hard for his young family, but travelling with his friend, who is more like his brother since he’s known since childhood they depended on each other during their ordeal. The two men are so close they share the same tattoo.
Raising young families, both men say they want to be home, but just wonder what will be left when they return.
“I want to be home, but I don’t know when they finish the war. I don’t know if I have a home later, if I have work or not,” said Vadym who was a construction worker.
Both men said it was the loyalty to their young families is the reason they fled. Seeing the photos of both men with their families in Ukraine in happier times it’s easy to see the love they have for their family.
But for Vadym, and Jay, their siblings, parents and friends stayed in Ukraine.
With his wife expecting their second child in two-months he doesn’t know what his future will be, but wanted them to be safe and together.
Only being in Canada for a short time, Vadym said people have been so welcoming.
“Every people ask, what you need, can I help you, you need clothes, you need money?”
The first day Henderson gave them a job, the second day he and his best friend are at their new job.
“This is very good for us. Because we need money to live.”
“The first step in Canada I feel good – I feel home. I can’t forget war in Ukraine, but I feel better.”
Henderson humbly said it makes his heart feel good helping, but gives praise to the community of Northumberland.
“It feels phenomenal that when we see someone hurting in this world, even though they are thousands of kilometres away, our small little town of Port Hope is still so eager to help.”
“It’s amazing we live in such a phenomenal part of the country that everyone is so giving.”
Breaking News – First Families from Ukraine Arrive in Port Hope
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
