Gavadzyn Family, Manitoba, Canada

As I write these words, I can feel tears in my eyes, as the memories come back of my native village Stari Kryvotuly, Ivano-Frankivsk region, my home and my relatives.

Most of the time I worked as a general labourer in Ukraine. The last two years before moving to Canada I worked as a deboner in the sausage department of a meat-processing company. The aim of my trip abroad was to look at how people live in Canada and to find better opportunities for my family. It was a hard decision for me to make because I knew that I had to leave my wife and my children for a while. But when I received a call from a relative who was living in Canada, it made me confident to step ahead and take the next step.

My relative, who moved to Canada in 2004, gave me the information of the Kyiv Youth Labour Centre.  At that time KYLC was recruiting people to work at Maple Leaf as general labourers in meat-processing. I called them and I shortly thereafter received an invitation to take part in an introduction presentation in Kyiv. It was very important for me, that we were able to get all of the necessary information about the program from KYLC employees. It was very helpful for us.

When I first arrived to Canada I couldn’t speak English very well. It was a little bit hard to get used to living in another country. I would meet my countrymen and parishioners from the Greek Catholic church. They helped me with everything that I needed. I missed my family, but to me the time passed very quickly and they soon joined me in Canada.

Now my wife, two daughters and I all live together in Brandon, Manitoba. We continue to work for Maple Leaf. I work as a deboner and my wife as a packer. We like our jobs. Our daughters are in Grade 3 and 5, respectively. Our daughters had some difficulty with English when they arrived but the children at school were very helpful and they work together. There are a lot of facilities for kids – swimming pools, skating rinks, etc. Our daughters attend the Ukrainian dancing school called «Troyanda».

A few days ago, there was a Ukrainian festival and our daughters performed Ukrainian dances with the rest of their dance club. We were very happy to communicate with people who were born in Canada but who have Ukrainian roots. One lady asked our daughter if they can speak a little bit of Ukrainian. They laughed and told her that they can speak Ukrainian very well and only a little bit of English.

We are happy to be here in Canada. The government takes care of people better here than in Ukraine. In our opinion as immigrants, people here are friendly and helpful. The church helps us to get together. Petro Zalisky, our relative, organized a play about Christ's birth at Christmas. We cried because we couldn't hide our emotions because in Ukraine we always celebrate Christmas with our parents and relatives. Good luck to all immigrants, God will help you!

I would like to recommend to people, who are moving to Canada, to be confident and resolute. If you get this opportunity, don't waste it. We can provide better opportunities for our children and you can improve your own life and the life of your relatives.