Help a Ukrainian family settle in Canada
Donation protected
Three generations of the Kompaniiets family have been forced to flee their home: 10 year old Heorhii, his 12 year-old sister Nika, their mother Iryna (45) and grandmother Tetiana (70). They left their home in Kyiv, in March and have finally made their way to Canada on June 9th. They are currently in temporary housing in Toronto and arriving to BC on September 5th. The father has stayed back in Ukraine to fight the Russian invasion.
This is the second time that Iryna and her mother Tetiana have been forced to flee their home.
In 1992, they fled their home in Abkhazia, Georgia as Russian armed forces entered their city. They moved to the Ukrainian capital and built a new life. Iryna was 15.
30 years on, they have been forced to leave everything behind again, as Russian tanks entered Ukraine.
A bit more about the family:
Iryna has a Degree in Economics and is an Advanced process control (APC) Engineer. She is hard working and is ready to work in any position to start with, while the family settles in BC. She plans to work during the day and take English classes at night.
Grandmother Tetiana is a Theatre Director by profession. She was already retired in Ukraine, but hopes to find part-time work, as a cleaner, or packer, to help the family.
Back in Ukraine Nika (12) played volleyball on her school team and Heorhii (10) played basketball. Heorhii and Nika miss their dad a lot. They also miss their Wiener dog, Jerry, and the two hamsters whom they couldn’t take to Canada.
They are excited and anxious to start their new life and school in BC.
How much are we raising?
I am raising $15,000 Cad to help the Kompaniiets family cover the cost of rent + utilities for the first 6 months. Iryna's bank account (TD Canada Trust) has been linked to this GoFundme campaign. 100% of funds go directly to her account.
How else can you help?
- I am looking for a 2-bedroom basement suite or apartment for them starting September 1st (anywhere in Lower Mainland – Port Coquitlam, Maple Ridge, Surrey, etc). We are hoping to find something in the $1,800/month range. This way once the family settles in and Iryna is working full time, they can afford to continue paying for the rent.
- So far, all landlords have declined to rent to a family with no credit/work history. I am happy to be the guarantor on the tenancy agreement. If you know of anyone who is willing to rent to a Ukrainian family, please reach out.
- If you have a second-hand vehicle you would like to donate, please reach out.
- If you have any furniture – especially bed frames, mattresses, a couch, table/chairs, please reach out.
- Any school supplies for kids – backpacks, notebooks, etc. kids bikes.
About me:
I didn’t know Iryna before the war but we were born in the same town on the coast of Black Sea – Sokhumi. We were both forced to flee our homes in 1992.
My family was lucky. We applied for permanent residency in Canada and were given a chance to a new life in 1996. Iryna’s family was less lucky, they immigrated to Ukraine and now must endure the trauma of war for the second time.
I hope we can help them settle into their new life in Canada. 100% of the funds raised go directly to Iryna's account at TD Canada Trust.
This GoFundme is linked directly to Iryna's account at TD.
I will share with you updates and photos from their new home in BC.
Organizer and beneficiary
Vera Kobalia
Organizer
New Westminster, BC
Iryna Kompaniiets
Beneficiary