Local agency helps reconnect Ukrainian family fleeing war

A family of Ukrainian refugees was reunited in Edmonton ahead of the holiday season, with some help from a local social agency.

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The Hope Mission helped Andrew Obasuyi and his wife Hanna Filiwpova to settle in the capital city with their children after seven months spent apart.

"Hope mission gave me hope to see my family again," Obasuyi said. "I was short of words.

"I don't even know how to say thank you."

The couple fled Ukraine earlier this year due to the war. It was the second time Obasuyi was forced to flee his home.

Obasuyi left Nigeria more than 20 years ago as a refugee, moving to Ukraine and making a life there.

He got married, started a business and had children. However, the ongoing war in the country forced his family to pack up and leave.

They first went to Germany, but decided to try and settle in Canada. Obasuyi went first, as there were difficulties in getting the children's visas.

"I said, my husband, 'You must go, We will come later. You must go. You must take this work permit, because without work permit, without money, we will die in Canada," Filiwpova said.

When Obasuyi arrived, it was difficult for him to find work, and his wife said his Nigerian passport prevented him from accessing supports for Ukrainian newcomers.

"He explained (to) everybody, he knock many doors. They said, 'You're not Ukrainian … when your family come, you can get the help.'"

With no food, money or a place to stay, Obasuyi ended up at the Hope Mission.

From there, he connected with a social worker who has helped reconnect and resettle the family with the help of other partner organizations.

"We always say hope begins with a meal, and this is another one of those stories where someone comes in for a meal, for shelter, and it goes from there," said Kevin Wiebe of the Hope Mission.

Like many other charities this holiday season, The Hope Mission is asking people to consider donating online due to the ongoing Canada Post Strike.

More information can be found on the agency's website.