This was a dire time for many children who arrived in Calgary after fleeing the war in Ukraine.
Currently, the local community is providing support in summer camps aimed at helping these young newcomers make friends, learn English and settle in a new environment. increase.
Anastasiia Stepanchuk came to Canada from Ukraine four years ago to finish her medical research, but her family wasn't planning to come here until Russia invaded Ukraine. did. Her mom and her two teenage brothers made the difficult decision to leave home when the war began. They arrived in Calgary in June.
But Stepanchuk's dad had to stay behind.
"With all the casualties and all the massive destructions that are happening in my hometown, it's painful to see everything that's happening over there," Stepanchuk said.
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Stepanchuk is a PhD candidate in clinical neuroscience at the University of Calgary .
She is worried that refugee children will be expelled from their homes, so she embarked on a mission to help establish a summer school. Stepanchuk recruited teachers from the Calgary Board of Education and the Calgary Catholic School District and volunteered to participate in these half-day camps starting in August.
"Given that my brother arrived in Calgary three weeks ago and is 12 and 15 years old, many newcomers have the same problem with new systems, new environments, and new languages. I realized that I might be facing a problem, "said Stepanchuk. "By camping, I was trying to bring together children facing similar problems and solve them together.
Continued Read: Ukrainians fleeing the war may want to stay in Calgary forever because the conflict can "last for years"
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SAIT also offers a summer day camp for young Calgary newcomers. Many of the people enrolled in these camps are from Ukraine and some are from Afghanistan. The scholarship program covers the cost of many campers.
Part of the day camp includes English classes as well as crafts, sports, technology and science activities.
"We primarily aim to enable them to have a good time with us," said Rozlynn Wick, project manager for SAIT's Strategic Youth Initiative. I am saying. "They feel welcomed, feel safe and begin to feel comfortable in the new environment here in Calgary.
" After graduating from high school, some programs and future If you can start looking at your career path, you'll be able to introduce a little bit about what they're looking forward to. "
Stepanchuk said he was grateful to the teachers for providing time at these camps.
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She adapts the camp to the dramatic changes that young people are currently experiencing in their lives. I hope to help you.
I am looking for a volunteer educator ready to study Ukrainian summer school. Part of the goal is to review the Alberta curriculum with Ukrainian children in grades 4-12.
The school will run from August 2nd to August 19th. Catholic church in Calgary.
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