Fleeing war to new beginnings in Waterloo region: How these 2 refugees are resettling

Over the last couple of years, hundreds of refugees fleeing war and dangerous conditions have moved to Ontario.

As of June 13, Ontario's Waterlooregion alone has welcomed about 400 government-assisted and privately sponsored Afghan refugees fleeing Taliban rule.

Many Ukrainian refugees have also settled in the region and continue to make their way here following the Russian invasion.As of May 15, some110 Ukrainians have arrived, according toImmigration Partnership.

Forced to leave everything behind, including their homes, jobs, belongings and even loved ones, these resilient families are slowly rebuilding a life.

To mark World Refugee Day on Monday, CBC Kitchener-Waterloo is highlighting two local families, and their stories of struggle, strength and resettlement and how they're looking forward to futures full of ambition and new beginnings.

Hajera Amir Karimi

Hajera Amir Karimi and her two young daughters moved to Kitchener nine months ago, leaving behind a large extended family in Kabul.

Karimi, a journalist and former radio host, is also physically separated from her husband, who's in Germany, and anxiously hoping he'll be approved to come to Canada.

"It's very difficult for newcomers," she said, recalling her first few weeksin the country.

"You don't have a Canadian experience if you want to start to work You don't know if the government will accept your diploma or not [and] the language is a big problem."

"But [the] opportunities are good because Canada is a peaceful and democratic country," said Karimi.

Since moving, Karimi has enrolled in English lessons and found a local circle of caringfriends, and her daughters are enjoying their new school and neighbourhood.

"Now I feel a little bit good," she said.

But the journalist is still itching to tell the stories of her homecountry. She hasn't been able to find a job here due to the language barrier, but she's not letting that get in the way.

WATCH | Afghan refugee Sayed Salahuddin Dorokhshan on resettling in Waterloo region:

Afghan family building new life in Waterloo region

3 years ago

Duration 0:45

Many Afghan families are resettling in Waterloo region amid challenges brought on by the pandemic.

She wants to start her own show on an audio platform. It's still in the early planning stages, but the program would showcase her culture and others.

"I want to show the world the different countries, cultures and people I want people to know about all cultures."

Iryna Denysevych

Iryna Denysevych, her husband and their two children arrived in Waterloo on May 8, andwere greeted by Heidi Sprouland her family, who are currently hosting them.

Denysevych recalls her harrowing journey from her home city of Dnipro to Poland and eventually Canada.

"I was very scared," she said, worried about the violence and safety of her family.

She said she needed to move in with a host family because her familydidn't have money and couldn't secure a place to stay.She chose Waterloo because the tech company she worked for in Ukraine has an office there.

Sproulsaid she felt compelled to take action after watching violence unfold in Ukraine.

"I couldn't imagine if that happened to me and what kind of support I would need. And I wanted to provide that for someone," she said. "It's been amazing. They're easy house guests and we have learned a lot We've had a really great experience."

Denysevych said she has bittersweet feelings about the future. On one hand, she's grateful for a safer and promising future in Canada;on the other hand, she can't help but think about the safety of her extended family back home.

"Sometimes I'm disappointed when I compare life here and life with my relatives they live in a very dangerous place," she said.

"The most important thing for me is thatmy kids live in peace They have to create a good life here. So that's why I take such a risk to go to Canada."

Denysevych hopes both her children will learn English and pursue their studies here. She recently earned her G1 driver's test and secured a job with her company's Waterloo branch.

Now, when she thinks about the future, she said,"it's incredible."

"It's like [a] sun rise in front of my eyes."