Christmas Fund: Single mother from Ukraine makes holidays ...
It's unclear whether the pair will head home once the war ends, and they're trying to make the best of their time in Canada.
Published Nov 23, 2024 • Last updated 5 hours ago • 2 minute read
As it stands, it’s unclear what the future holds for Katrina and her 10-year-old son: Will they stay in Canada permanently, or head home to Ukraine once the war ends?
“We’ll see what happens,” Katrina said, adding that she feels the results of the U.S. presidential election may complicate things further in her country.
In the meantime, Katrina, a single mother, is trying to make the most of her time in Canada. Her son loves it, she said, and has managed to make friends and learn French quickly.
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But it’s been a bit more challenging for her.
“I’m starting French now, but it’s the second foreign language for me,” Katrina said. “My English is not perfect … plus French, so it’s difficult.”
She stressed that she’s also grown tired while working to support herself, her son and their two dogs. The family came to Canada on a work permit rather than as refugees, meaning they receive little help from the government.
“I have to pay all my bills, to pay for the rent, to pay for school, to pay for my son’s activities and to pay for the groceries,” she said, adding that rent in particular is quite a challenge.
“Everyone’s suffering from this. It’s a big problem.”
This year, Katrina will be one of the thousands of Montrealers in need to receive a $125 cheque from the Montreal Gazette Christmas Fund. The fund helps make the holidays a little easier for those in tough situations.
Katrina and her son plan on seeing the Canadian Pacific Holiday Train and the Santa Claus Parade.
“We missed last year, and my son was disappointed,” she said.
They’re also going to spend some time with friends who live in their building who are also Ukrainian and have children.
“We want to buy some small presents for each child and to decorate the Christmas tree and make our dishes for the Christmas table and to spend it together,” Katrina said.
The cheque from the Christmas Fund will help pay for groceries, Katrina said.
“Groceries to make a Christmas table,” she said. “We call it a Christmas table.”
How to help
This article is representative of the people your donations will be helping. Because of resource limitations and privacy restrictions, the Montreal Gazette cannot accept non-monetary contributions. Donations to the Christmas Fund can be made online at www.christmasfund.com. Please direct all inquiries to [email protected].
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