From war zones to new beginnings: What Canada means to 3 women who came to Sask. as refugees
CBC
Victoriia Zakharchuk was getting ready to teach at her school in Lutsk, Ukraine, when she heard the sounds of Russian missile strikes.
"I couldn't believe that, because I had an important meeting and I was preparing for my presentation. I remember my mom calling me and telling me, 'Victoriia, the war began.'"
That was in February 2022. Her mother asked her to come to the countryside to be safe. After staying with her parents for a while, she decided to go to Italy until the situation got better, but it only got worse, as Russia's now more than two-year-old invasion of Ukraine continued.
Zakharchuk, who decided to come to Saskatchewan with her son in October 2022, is one of three Saskatchewan women who arrived as refugees from war-torn countries who spoke to CBC about what Canada means to them.
"Even though my heart is still aching for my homeland and my family members as the war continues, I'm very grateful because I can see the future here for my son," said Zakharchuk.
"Despite coming here and without knowing anyone and carrying only one bag and a very heavy heart, the kindness and welcoming hearts and open arms of Canadian people offering support made our life more significant," and has helped her rebuild her life, she said.
Now, she's teaching English to other Ukrainians and working as a translator for the Open Door Society in Saskatoon.
Soomaya Javadi escaped discrimination and fear of being killed in Afghanistan when the Taliban came into power in 2021.
Being a woman and part of the Hazari religious and ethnic minority, Javadi said she felt she could not breathe freely in Afghanistan anymore.
"When Kabul fell to the Taliban and we were fleeing the country, I was constantly in fear that I might lose my mom, my dad, any minute now," she said.
"What does Canada mean to me? Canada is a place where my mom and my dad are safe."
WATCH | Soomaya Javadi answers the question 'what does Canada mean to you?'
Javadi said Canada has given her more freedom and equality that she had ever experienced before.
"I remember when I first went outside of Saskatoon and I looked at the horizon, looked at the prairies where the sky meets the ground and the red sun drops and disappears in the evening, I fell in love with it," she said.
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