One yr in the past, on Feb. 24, 2022, Marta Kosar woke as much as her mom saying battle had damaged out as Russia invaded their nation.

After one week of not going outdoors and journeys to a basement when air-raid sirens went off in her residence metropolis of Lviv on the western fringe of Ukraine, the 16-year-old Kosar started the arduous journey away from her residence, her household, her associates and her nation.

After leaving Ukraine on March 2, Kosar made her technique to Hungary for one week. After Hungary, Kosar made stops in Austria, Spain for one month and Montreal for just a few days earlier than planting herself in London on April 27.

“It was a great distance right here,” Kosar tells World Information on the eve of the battle turning one yr previous.

Rather less than 5 months later, Kosar’s first cousin, 15-year-old Bozehena Melnychuk, arrived from Ukraine on Sept. 24, 2022, leaving her residence and household for a short lived secure place together with her cousin and aunt Sofiya.

Throughout their time in Ukraine, after the battle started, the pair say air-raid sirens had been a each day incidence, although fortunately, the dropping of bombs was not as frequent.

Kosar and Melnychuk are simply two of the greater than 150,000 Ukrainians which have made their technique to Canada for the reason that battle broke out a yr in the past.

The youngsters attend St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Secondary Faculty in London’s west finish. Each in Grade 10, the pair say their academics and classmates have been “wonderful” in making them really feel snug.

“They’re very form and so they wish to assist me get higher,” Kosar mentioned of her academics.

Kosar and Melnychuk mentioned the adjustment to Canadian highschool has gone nicely, with Kosar saying she is excelling in math now in contrast with again residence.

Melnychuk, including that math is one thing she finds simpler as nicely, says she generally struggles with speaking in English, as she has solely been in London for 5 months.

“I perceive the knowledge, however talking is more durable,” says Melnychuk, although she provides with confidence that it’ll enhance.

Melnychuk and Kosar expressed gratitude to individuals in London and Canada who supported Ukrainians, together with their host household.

“They’ve helped us with the whole lot and gave to us a spot to name residence,” mentioned Melnychuk.

Whereas adjusting to highschool and residing in Canada has been good, there’s one factor they weren’t ready for: the climate.

“It’s freezing right here, and the winds are very sturdy,” Kosar says with a chuckle.

However as a lot as their academics and new associates have labored to assist Kosar and Melnychuk really feel welcome and regulate to the chilly climate, London continues to be not their residence, nor the place their household and associates are. The youngsters communicate with household nearly however say it’s not like being in particular person.

“I miss household, associates, my residence, my room,” says Kosar, including that she misses the easy pleasure of simply strolling down her residence road with neighbours.

Melnychuk says she misses her mother and older sister, who’s attending college.

Not like among the 150,000 Ukrainians in Canada displaced by the battle, Kosar and Melnychuk say coming to Canada was a part of their life plans. It simply got here just a few years forward of schedule.

Each say earlier than the battle, Western College was already circled as a spot to proceed their research after highschool. Melnychuk says she needs to check engineering, whereas Kosar needs to check cosmetology or dermatology.

Kosar says she is wanting ahead to the day she sees her household once more. Nonetheless, she reiterates that she plans for Canada to be part of her life to come back.

“I’m beginning a brand new life and I wish to end my research right here,” Kosar says.

“Hopefully I can go residence in the summertime for one month to see household and associates.”

The London chapter of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress is internet hosting a candlelight vigil at metropolis corridor on Friday at 6 p.m.

Daria Hryckiw, the president of the London chapter, says there shall be prayers led by native Catholic, Orthodox and Pentecostal leaders, in addition to remarks from Mayor Josh Morgan and native Ukrainians.

“We shall be lighting candles, praying and supporting Ukraine and Ukrainian individuals,” mentioned Hryckiw.

— with recordsdata from The Canadian Press.

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