WAYNE COUNTY, N.Y. (WROC) — A foreign exchange university student from Ukraine who’s attending school in Wayne County is talking out about how the war in her homeland is owning a direct impact on her.
Kateryna is in this article via the Future Leaders Exchange plan. She was born and raised around Kyiv, but since she remaining for The usa last tumble her neighborhood was destroyed, and her spouse and children became refugees.
Now she’s hoping to stability her education and learning even though preparing for an unsure future.
Even though protected on the other facet of the globe, 17-year-aged Kateryna is heartbroken as she sees illustrations or photos of her hometown minimized to rubble.
“My community was raided by Russian troopers and burnt to the ground,” Kateryna instructed us. “My university the place I use to go to was also shelled, and my grandparent’s dwelling was shelled.”
With Kateryna’s residence destroyed, her loved ones is on the operate, with out any way to guidance themselves or a location for her to return to soon after the faculty year.
“They never have any income, they don’t have operate,” Kateryna reported. “And it is just difficult for me to depart devoid of being aware of what is likely to take place subsequent.”
Less than the upcoming exchange scholarship program, Kateryna is intended to return to Ukraine on Might 19th.
The family members she’s boarding with is seeking to do the job with the Federal Government to lengthen her visa and utilize for Short term Shielded Status or do the job permits. But so far, they haven’t produced a great deal development.
“There’s a charge associated with that charge if you’re above 14 is $135,” Barry VanNostrand, her host dad, spelled out. “If the individuals that are in this article beneath TPS want to do the job while they’re listed here which is an further $410 and if she’s equipped to get acceptance to modify her visa that is an excess $120.”
“My American family has carried out so a great deal for me,” Kateryna included. “They want to make a secure surroundings for me and normally given me a good deal of assist so I really feel far more than safe listed here.”
A single elected formal the VanNostrand household has been striving to get in get in touch with with is Senator Chuck Schumer. We achieved out to his business office yesterday. They bought back again to us a few several hours in the past, asking for Kateryna and her boarding family’s personalized make contact with details. They stated they’ll now speak to them to supply any support they can.
In the meantime, Kateryna is applying for new scholarships to show up at college right here in America. Kateryna asks everyone to pitch in for the persons continue to in Ukraine by getting in contact with the local Ukrainian Lifestyle Middle.