N.S. couple sponsors Ukrainian family to Pictou County, organizing local benefit concert

Now that the couple has helped the mother and two children settle into Nova Scotia, they're organizing a benefit for other Ukrainian refugees arriving in Pictou County.

Carefree moments around the kitchen table are some of life’s simple pleasures that Ruslana Zhurakhova and her two children now have the opportunity to embrace after their lives were turned upside down.

The family fled the war in Ukraine and is now settled in New Glasgow, N.S.

“We were hiding in the shelter underground. We stayed there for six days. It was like no heating, no light, no water — we had only water which we took from the well,” said Zhurakhova.

With her husband defending Ukraine on the front lines, Zhurakhova and the children decided to take their chances and leave the underground shelter.

“It was still very dangerous to do because nobody knows where Russian soldiers are around the city. It was scary,” she said.

They made it across the border.

From there, Zhurakhova began researching Canada’s emergency travel program for Ukrainian refugees and ended up connecting with a New Glasgow couple: Chris Lewis and Lauralee Pentz.

“This was just a no-brainer. We needed to do something,” said Lewis.