Advertiser Foundation raising money to help refugees settling in Australia from Ukraine

A fundraiser is helping refugees from Ukraine settle in to safety in South Australia – and our state is responding to the heartbreaking stories from the war zone.

Free English lessons are helping Ukrainians prepare for a new life in South Australia after escaping their war-torn country.

Many Ukrainians have arrived in the state on tourist or temporary visas but they hope to make longer-term arrangements to stay and find work.

Association of Ukrainians in SA community school principal Iryna Kvasniuk said about 50 adults were taking English classes on Tuesday and Thursday mornings at Hindmarsh, followed by lunch. Children are also catered for, with a play group for the little ones.

“Numbers are different every time, especially with children as we are helping them to be enrolled in mainstream schools, which have the intensive English language program,” Ms Kvasniuk said. “Also, new families are arriving and coming.”

Tutor Helen Schapel said she used to be a teacher and her parents were Ukrainian, so she felt compelled to volunteer for the association.

“This is something that I can do,” she said.

“It’s a way to address that helplessness that one feels when you see (the Ukrainian news reports). The resilience and positivity of these young refugees is humbling.”

Mrs Schapel said she felt Ukraine had become the scapegoat in an incredible tussle between Russian President Vladimir Putin and the West.

“I just see it as Ukrainians have had democracy for 30 years, they are entitled to retain a democracy and to retain their unique language and culture,” she said.

Olya Hreehaniuk, 27, who recently arrived in Adelaide, said she was “very glad” to have English lessons.

“It’s a huge help for us,” she said. “And also every teacher is helping with finding jobs, (and helping us to) understand what we must do for normal living with visas and banking,” she said.

Fellow student Alex Nazarov, 36, was abroad when the war began. His partner Liudmyla Vashchyk fled Ukraine after rocket attacks destroyed her home in Kyiv. They came to stay with his brother, who lives here.

Mr Nazarov said he and his partner did not speak English very well, so they were grateful for the assistance.

New arrivals Alex Nazarov and his partner Liudmyla Vashchyk outside the Association of Ukrainians in SA in Hindmarsh. Picture: Tom Huntley

FUNDRAISER LUNCH

As support flows in for Ukraine from across the globe, the country’s ambassador in Australia says there is one major thing the country needs – more military help.

Vasyl Myroshnychenko will be in Adelaide on Tuesday for The Advertiser Foundation’s Ukraine Refugee Welcome Lunch at the Arkaba Hotel.

“I was overwhelmed with all the support I’ve seen here – the embassy is getting letters of support and donations and cheques from different city halls and towns,” he said.

“Australia has provided $225m in military assistance and $65m in humanitarian assistance.

Mr Myroshnychenko said the “top” priority now was receiving more weapons and military assistance.

The ambassador, based in Canberra, said he was looking forward to this week meeting some of the 140-plus Ukrainians who have moved to the state after fleeing the war and speaking to the SA cabinet.

The Advertiser Foundation’s lunch will welcome the state’s new arrivals from Ukraine and support the emergency response for displaced children and families.

While in Adelaide for the event, Mr Myroshnychenko will also meet with the Association of Ukrainians in SA and possibly tour the RM Williams workshop in Salisbury after picking up a pair of the South Australian boots. He made the purchase to give back to a local business after all the support the country has offered Ukrainians.

Ukrainian Refugees Maksym, 10, and Anastasiia Lada, 8, loved their time at the Adelaide Zoo. Picture: Tom Huntley

Among those overwhelmed by the way South Australians have welcomed the new community with open arms, are Nataliia Lada, her son Max, 10 and Anastasia, 8, who fled Cherkasy, south of Kyiv.

They were in a group of about 55 children and 50 adults who took part in a free visit to Adelaide Zoo, and friend Iryna Kvasniuk, who organised the trip, told The Advertiser it served as a welcome relief from their worries about the conflict.

“They enjoyed it so much … they took photos of every single animal they could,” Ms Kvasniuk said. Nataliia and her children are living with Nataliia’s mother-in-law Nadia in a housing trust unit, along with Nadia’s mother Maria.

Zoos SA chief executive Elaine Bensted said hearing stories from the visitors about their plight was “heartbreaking”.

“It was predominantly mothers and some grandfathers and grandmothers – but no young men sadly, because they’re all still in Ukraine,” Ms Bensted said.

The Advertiser Foundation has invited Nataliia and Oleksandr to the welcome lunch at the Arkaba Hotel on Tuesday.

Attended by Premier Peter Malinauskas and the ambassadors for Ukraine and Lithuania, the event will also act as a fundraiser to help Ukrainians settle in SA.

The Premier said, “The horrors that the people of Ukraine continue to face and the sheer scale of the human cost is incredibly difficult to comprehend.

“South Australians have a long history of opening their arms to those struggling through the toughest of circumstances.

“I’ve heard countless stories of South Australians reaching out, and rallying around the Ukrainian people, and will continue to ensure we do our part as a state government to welcome this community.

“This is an outstanding initiative from The Advertiser and yet another example of South Australians’ spirit of generosity and welcoming.”

Lord Mayor Sandy Verschoor, who will attend, said it was heartbreaking to hear the stories coming out of Ukraine. “The City of Adelaide was proud to support the Stand with Ukraine Charity Concert at the Adelaide Town Hall last week, which raised $70,000 for newly arrived Ukrainian refugees and those still on the ground,” she said.

Deputy Premier Susan Close said she was proud of the way South Australians had opened their arms to families fleeing the country.

“The South Australian Ukrainian community needs our support while they process the devastation occurring in their home country,” she said.

“It’s fantastic to see the Advertiser’s ongoing efforts to support Ukrainian refugees including this wonderful lunch, which will help those in need.”

You can donate to help refugees settle in South Australia at ShoutforGood.com - click here or search for Emergency SA Ukrainian Response Appeal.