Help our Ukrainian Family Rebuild Their Lives

February 24, 2022 brought the unthinkable to my family.

Taking only their backpacks, food, a pair of sneakers and a jacket each, 5 of my closest family members in Ukraine had to leave their husbands and dads behind and embark on an uncertain journey out of their home country. The drive to Poland, navigating blown up cities and miles-long traffic, took 40+ hours. The wait at the border took nearly 20 hours.

Once in Poland, my family members became 5 of the 2 million+ Ukrainian refugees that had crossed the border in 2 weeks. There are no accommodations left anymore and every aid centre is overwhelmed.

Our family is now on route to another European country where they will wait.

Wait for the Canadian government to approve their documents so that we can bring them here, to family and safety.

Regardless of where they go, and what lies ahead, they will need to rebuild their lives and we know it will take time, resources and support.

My 4 grandparents were already here in Canada, and due to COVID-19, they couldn't fly home to Ukraine. We are now so grateful that they stayed here.

While my parents and I are fortunate enough to be able to provide support to our close family - our 5 relatives in Ukraine, and 4 grandparents here - we know that it will be challenging to continue to do this entirely on our own with just the three of us financially supporting them.

We are grateful for the messages we have gotten asking how people can help our family. This fundraiser will go towards things like:

- Flights to Canada from Europe for 5 of our family members

- 2 months+ of accommodations for 5 family members while they wait for travel documents to Canada

- Furniture for when they arrive in Canada (beds, mattresses, and other items as necessary)

- Associated fees with travel documents and travelling to and from the visa application centre

- Clothing: they left everything behind in Ukraine

Our family members coming from Ukraine:

- Liudmyla, 44, nurse (dad's sister)

- Daniel, 14 (Liudmyla's son)

- Tanya, 52, social worker (mom's sister)

- Veronika, 14 (Tanya's daughter)

- Alina, 28, executive assistant (Tanya's daughter)

We are grateful for all the kind words we have received and for any contributions that are made to this fundraiser. Anything makes a difference!

Thank you,

The Guk family