This week the Strathroy Library hosted an Open House for local Ukrainian families who fled their country recently due to the war in Ukraine and are living locally with their host families. We talked with Lisa Donald who with her husband Colin Keith have hosted the Potomkin family with husband and wife, a young child and one on the way since June 8th when they picked them up at the airport. Lisa says its been an exhilarating experience. She says it all started on social media.
She says she originally was assisting other host families in finding work and residency but then they just simply wanted to be more involved.
Lisa says since day one it has been a great bonding.
Father Anatoli Potomkin says he is very happy to be here.
Anatoli says it was a tough choice to flee his country as he had to leave his parents behind but immediate family safety had to come first.
The Canadian Government offered a 3-year work Visa to fleeing Ukrainian families, and many families are looking to get permanent Canadian residency. Donald says right now there are about 20 families in the area with host families but they are looking for more.
If you are interested in finding out more information please email ldonal@alumni.uwo.ca or visit the London-Middlesex Help Ukraine Facebook page.
Written by: C. Soares
