Father, boyfriend 'risk their lives every day by staying' in Ukraine
CBC
As the bombs started flying across Ukraine and the war began, Kristina Kurdel and her mother, Oksana, looked for a way out.
"When the war started, me and my mom decided right away we were going abroad because we don't want to risk our lives," Kurdel said.
Their city, Ternopil, and its estimated 225,000 inhabitants weren't safe. (On May 13, it was reported by Reuters that the city was hit by Russian missiles, injuring two people.)
Kurdel and her mother looked west, far west, for safe passage.
They found it in Winnipeg with their cousin Myron Pawlowsky and his wife, Susan Boulter. Despite only having met the mother and daughter once before, Pawlowsky and Boulter decided to take in the pair and offer them a safe home away from the war.
"We're just very happy to get them out of a war zone and into a peaceful place where they can make a living for themselves," Pawlowsky said.
Kurdel's story is featured in Home Away From Home, a new short documentary by Winnipeg filmmakers Haley Charney, Quang Luong and Nathalie Massaroni for CBC Creator Network Manitoba.
The 4½-minute film was shot earlier this year as Kurdel was settling into her new life in Winnipeg.
It follows her and her mother as they take English lessons, get settled in Winnipeg and embrace the Ukrainian culture in the city.
They also yearn for those they left behind, including Kurdel's father and her boyfriend, and wonder when they will be reunited.
"I understand they risk their lives every day by staying there," Kurdel said.
Kurdel also reveals her fears about learning English, fitting in and supporting herself.
CBC Creator Network is a national storytelling initiative that amplifies the voices, unique perspectives and stories of diverse creators across Canada. We work with emerging storytellers to help produce original content, including short films, social videos, photo series, personal essays, audio essays, illustrations and animation.
Check out Creator Network Manitoba projects here.