Refugee families in B.C. seek fresh start on anniversary of Ukraine war

The bloodshed continues exactly one year since the war in Ukraine got underway, as thousands of families remain ripped apart by the violence. The images and stories we absorb now are just as heartbreaking as they were last February, with signs little as changed.

In B.C., more than 11,000 Ukrainians have arrived in a bid to start a new life.

Following a scary journey out of the war-torn country almost one year ago, Mariia Elsayed, her husband, and their two children arrived in Maple Ridge with nothing but $300.

She admits it was a very difficult decision to leave their home, but for the sake of giving their children a better future, she admits they had no choice but to get out.

“It’s still really hard because we still have family and friends back in Ukraine. We understand that it’s not over and it continues, and people keep hurting. Sometimes I call my friends and we have nothing to say because [there’s] so much emotion, so many feelings and sometimes it’s really hard to talk. I know what they feel right now, and they cannot feel safe. It’s the hardest part,” she told CityNews.

Holding back tears, Elsayed says the family really misses their loved ones, and, at this point, there are no immediate plans to move back.

“I try to connect as much as I can,” said Elsayed.

“It makes me feel terrified. It makes me feel pain. It’s really hard. I feel like I’m still there… but all these images, and videos and news make me come back to [these] feelings and unfortunately, it’s not going anywhere.”

She says they’ll never forget where they came from. and plans to visit one day, but she admits the entire experience has left her numb.

“It’s really difficult… and I always try to do my best… I try not to think what I’m feeling,” she said.

In the year since they’ve arrived, Elsayed and her family have moved to Vancouver, and she and her husband have both found jobs. Elsayed tells us she works at Immigrant Services Society of B.C. (ISSBC), where she helps newcomers adjust to life in Canada.

She credits everything they have today thanks to the kindness and generosity of Canadians and the community around them.

Following a scary journey out of the war-torn country almost one year ago, Mariia Elsayed, her husband and their two children arrived in Maple Ridge with nothing but $300. (CityNews Image)

“At the beginning, I felt alone. We lived with a family that hosted us for a month and I will be forever grateful, they are like my family now. They supported us. They got everything for our kids. They got clothing, they helped us with food, with everything.

“We felt like we were in a family, but inside me, there was an emptiness, and it was really hard. But the people in Maple Ridge are amazing. Everyone was supportive,” she said.

When they settled into an apartment in Maple Ridge, their landlords bought them Ukrainian candy to welcome them, she explained. “The community helped us so much with the furniture, with groceries and people were so supportive.”

Elsayed says the emptiness she’s felt has improved but the guilt for being able to escape remains.

She says there have been challenges over the past year and she highlights the high cost of food and lack of affordable housing as made things harder, at times.

“I suggest to people who will come to Canada — try to work on your mental health, try to take care of yourself, try to learn English as much as possible and you will never be alone here in Canada. It’s not important what your background is and your story, you are more than welcomed here,” she said.

‘It just fills your heart,’ host family says of experience

When the shocking images of the war first surfaced, Helene Smail was inspired to help because her late husband was Ukrainian.

The 72-year-old Maple Ridge woman and her current husband jumped into action and began going through the appropriate steps to welcome a family. Eventually, an Iranian man, who has now escaped war in two countries, his Ukrainian wife, and their daughter moved in. But after spending one night in their home, Smail says the wife and daughter returned to Ukraine and almost a year later, he remains.

“He is an absolute joy to have around. He speaks Russian. He speaks Ukrainian. He speaks Persian and he’s learning English very well. He’s had a job in Maple Ridge since May. He loves it and they absolutely adore him as well. We couldn’t be more thrilled.”

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She says they plan to have him continue living with them until he’s able to save enough and is ready to move out on his own.

“I recommend this to anybody. Doesn’t matter what country they’re coming from. If they’re refugees, I would say, ‘Do it.’ It just fills your heart.”

Like Elsayed, Smail says the sense of community and the desire to help runs deep.

“They’re out there helping each other, whether it’s transportation or if they need clothing and I think Maple Ridge is amazing that way. I commend everybody that was involved with the volunteering as well as the coordinating, it’s just amazing.”

She says this entire journey has been a rollercoaster and not just for those who now call Canada home, but for people like her who are trying to help.

“It’s still very emotional. I choke up when I talk about it. It fills your heart knowing you’re helping somebody who’s had to endure the hardships they’re enduring. It fills my heart that I’m helping somebody who wants to be here, and I would do it for anybody. It wouldn’t matter, I would help them, and I think a lot of people, hopefully, feel that way. I know they don’t, but they should.

“It’s so insightful to know what suffering is and injustice. We are so lucky to be in Canada. I can’t even think about being any other place but here,” she said.

Smail says she knows her late husband is looking down on her and is proud of the work she’s doing.