‘I feel that I am not alone’

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This article was published 11/12/2022 (1224 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Kyrylo and Fedir pore over an assortment of teas, jewelry, bathbombs and trinkets. The brothers, ages nine and six, whisper to each other in Ukrainian as they try to determine which of the goods might make the finest gifts for their mom.

When the decision is made, they present them to her, beaming.

The gifts are modest, but thoughtful: a pair of pink butterfly earrings, and a silver spoon in the shape of a treble clef.

“They want to give me something beautiful because they know how I’m feeling, how I’m worried and I miss my family,” Olena Pelahina said, crouching to plant a kiss on her children’s’ cheeks. “When I looked in their eyes, I felt so much of their love for me… I want to give my sons a special experience, because they haven’t had many happy days after the war.”

Olena and her boys were among the hundreds of families who attended Oseredok Ukrainian Cultural and Educational Centre this weekend to celebrate Sviatyi Mykolai (Saint Nicholas) day, a Ukrainian tradition that involves gift giving.

For families like Pelahina’s, it was a moment of respite in a year rife with turmoil and terror.

This summer, the mother and her boys fled the embattled city of Kyiv, leaving behind Pelahina’s parents and her husband, who is still trying to escape Ukraine.

They landed in Manitoba on July 1 and have been struggling to orient themselves in a new country, far from the culture and comforts of home. Community hubs like Oseredok have helped, Pelahina said.

“Immigrants have support in this community. All of our lives are so broken now,” she said. “I hope my country will soon be free, but I feel that I am not alone.”

On Saturday, the centre opened its doors to 170 children, most of them refugees fleeing war-torn Ukraine. It was an opportunity to colour, take photos with St. Mykolai and participate in a free gift exchange.

Dana and Steven Benne, who operate Winnipeg delivery service Milk Man Distributors, volunteered at the event and donated many of the items for the gift exchange.

The couple are no strangers to philanthropy. Throughout the year, Dana Benne scours bargain bins and sales rack for everything from socks to toys, stockpiling the gifts in her basement. During the holidays, they donate the collection to a local non-profit, she said.

This year Oseredok was an obvious choice.

“We know there’s a lot to be said for emotional health and making kids feel happy,” Dana Benne said. “We basically wanted to give the kids something they could take a little bit of pride in. They can take it and give it to mom, or dad, or whoever.”

The most popular items at Oseredok’s gift exchange were candy and “anything shiny,” Steven Benne said, laughing.

“This is the first time we’ve done Sviatyi Mykolai day, but I think we should have it as a tradition,” said Yulia Zmerzla, Oseredok’s executive director. “Not everything is perfect, but we do what we can, and when I see that children are leaving happy, that’s the most important.”

Oseredok’s mandate is to preserve Ukrainian culture and heritage. The building boasts a museum, library, boutique and archives, and since the war started, it has expanded its programming to serve the needs of newcomers, Zmerzla said.

Oseredok now offers English language classes, but space is limited and demand is high.

“The waiting list is enormous… every morning I can see people outside, just begging ‘Take me.’”

Zmerzla and her staff are working to expand the centre’s capacity. They’ve applied for provincial funding to renovate the building’s basement, hoping to convert it into a classroom.

Pending approval, it could open this summer, she said.

tyler.searle@freepress.mb.ca