My Ukrainian Refugee Family

Hi, my name is Cathy Lacombe and I sponsored a Ukrainian refugee family's journey to the United States. They are living near me in Eastman, New Hampshire. They are Volodymyr (Vovo), 40, Viktoriia (Vika), 42, Uliana, 12 and Nina 7. After war broke out, the women were able to get to Poland, then Sweden, and finally Germany, where the father, Volodymyr finally joined them after receiving permission to leave Ukraine.

Viktoriia is my second cousin, once removed. Her great -grandfather Luca and my grandmother Fedosia were brother and sister. When my grandmother emigrated to the US at the age of 17 with three brothers, they left behind Luca, age 10 and his parents. They never saw each other again. My mother Elizabeth was thrilled to finally connect with her Ukrainian family before she died last February. They all made a video for Elizabeth's 100th birthday. She died, thankfully, without knowing Russia invaded her relatives' homeland.

Vika and family have had a difficult, harrowing past year. Their homeland is under constant attack. Due to constant bombing, the Lymars don't know if their apartment in Kyiv is still standing. They lost everything and were shuttled between six different hostels in Germany. The four of them shared one small room, and shared one bathroom with 18 other refugees. The young girls were not been well treated in school, and some teachers were vocal Russian sympathizers. Nina is my granddaughter CC's age, and I cannot begin to imagine CC living in these conditions. Her older sister Uliana struggled to make any friends and was miserable.

Vika and family arrived in Boston on April 19, and my husband and I picked them up at Logan airport. We rented a condo for them, and are giving all we are able, but monetarily, it is not enough. The Department of Immigration and Citizenship estimates that it takes approximately $5,000 per person, to get Ukrainians firmly established in the United States. We're learning that it takes more than that. Thus far, we've spent $7,500 on rental housing, $11,500 on a used car for them and nearly $1000 on transportation. There are additional expenses of car insurance, registration, gas, inspection, a post office box and utilities. And of course, food and supplies.

Please donate what you can afford. I will keep careful track of all funds and I guarantee EVERY penny received will go to the support of this family.

Many thanks for your support.