A Welcoming and Helping Hand

This past June the South Vancouver Island District Women's Institute looked around for something we could become involved with, something that is current and needed.

A number of new Canadians, recently arrived from Ukraine have settled in Duncan, and we looked to see what we could do to not only welcome them to the community, but also provide some assistance to them as they settled into their new surroundings.

Well, the first order of business was to raise some money so we could do something.  A tea and sale of a number of items was arranged in Duncan, and the community was most supportive when they heard the revenue was to go to help the families from Ukraine settle here. Even some of those who learned of the tea and its purpose, but for whatever reason could not attend, supported the idea with donations.

The event was a great success, raising something over $3,000! Next we considered what our newest citizens would need most, and the consensus was English as a second language. With that in mind we approached the local group who were in direct contact with the Ukrainians and made our suggestion. They were delighted!

So in the final analysis, 14 adults and 8 children received lessons in English. Our donation also covered travel costs to and from the lessons, as well as lunch on the days of instruction.

I personally believe we need to make a greater effort to help new citizens blend into this, their new country, and to help them understand the cooperative and helpful nature of so many Canadians. That first welcome on behalf of the average Canadian citizens, I feel, is the ultimate gesture of friendship and welcome.

Many of us have family roots that began in Europe, or some other country that was experiencing turmoil of one nature or another, which urged some ancestor to look to North America for a new start, and new hope for their children. What kind of courage does it take to make the decision to leave an area your family has perhaps lived in for generations, be separated from your family, friends, your current livelihood, and move to a new country?

The Ukrainian people are strong and hard workers; they have watched the destruction of their homeland and fought valiantly for it. They deserve a warm welcome and a helping hand – I am proud that the Women's Institutes have extended both, in the fashion that many other new Canadians have been welcomed to our country!

Congratulations all around!

Yours For Home and Country, Ruth Fenner, Provincial Historian, British Columbia Women's Institute