By Mark Brett, Penticton Herald, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
A standing ovation was the culmination to a “life-changing” visit to the South Okanagan for a group of young Calgary dancers.
But the real beneficiaries of the shows at the Frank Venables Theatre in Oliver and the Cleland Theatre are some of the millions of Ukrainians now struggling for survival.
Continue reading Much love for UkraineBy Mark Brett, Penticton Herald, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
When she began helping Ukrainians escape their war-torn country, Jennifer Martison realized getting people out was only half the battle.
“The Ukrainians face huge challenges when they arrive here (in Canada), the government bureaucracy and requisite paperwork is daunting,” said Martison, who started the Ukraine Nightingale Project (UNP) last fall to help refugees of the war.
Continue reading ‘I couldn’t just sit back and watch’EDITOR’S NOTE: Welcome to the first of a five-part series highlighting the work of the Ukraine Nightingale Project and some of the families it’s helping in the South Okanagan. To help fund that work, the UNP is staging performances by the Tryzub Ukraine dance troupe Thursday in Oliver and Saturday in Penticton.
By Mark Brett, Penticton Herald, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Until last year, Oleg Varnystka had never held a gun but he now carries an AK-47 and risks his life on the front lines to defend his Ukrainian homeland.
Fortunately six months ago his wife Vitalina Varnytska and their children, daughter Vlada, 17, and son Ustym, 15, managed to escape their war-torn country.
Continue reading The journey from Ukraine to Canada and a new life
