Twin sisters who fled Ukraine adapt to school and life in Halifax
Nearly 90,000 Ukrainian refugees have fled the war-torn country for Canada so far this year, including Mariia and Yuliia Lytvynchuk.
The 18-year-old twins are pursuing post-secondary education at Dalhousie University and the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design for visual arts and creative writing.
“We left our city and our home where we lived all our life,” Yuliia said.
Dalhousie professor Heather Jessup is one of more than 100 strangers who helped bring the two sisters and their single mother to Canada.
While both students received scholarships to their post-secondary institutions, the money only goes so far — they are not eligible for student loans.
"Living here is expensive,” Jessup explained. “We need a home for these wonderful young women, food and school supplies which are necessities for them.”
A donor has agreed to match every dollar raised up to $40,000 until December through a GoFundMe campaign.
For now, the sisters preserve their past life through their paintings and words.
They say they’re optimistic there are opportunities in Canada, even if their future feels uncertain.
“We planned one moment, one second in Ukraine and all our plans were ruined,” Mariia said. “So now, it’s very hard to plan something.”
“When I was a child, I planned to be a great designer in the Ukraine. But now, I need to make another plan for my future,” Yuliia explained. “I’m really hopeful and feel here I’ll have a great future.”
Despite hearing about the cold winters in the Maritimes, they say they’ve felt nothing but warmth since arriving in Halifax earlier this year.
“[Those who helped us] are no longer strangers, they are our family,” Yuliia said.
They’ve also discovered and experienced some Canadian quirks.
“I think Canadians can’t live without Tim Hortons,” Yuliia said with a laugh.
Above all, the twins are grateful to have each other for the journey that lies ahead.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Israel attacks Iran, Reuters sources say; drones reported over Isfahan
Israel has attacked Iran, three people familiar with the matter told Reuters, as Iranian state media reported early on Friday that its forces had destroyed drones, days after Iran launched a retaliatory drone strike on Israel.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.