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Since the launch of a U.S. government program called Uniting for Ukraine in April 2022, more than 113,000 Ukrainians have arrived in the US, according to the Department of Homeland Security. Karina Bafradzhian met with one Ukrainian family who arrived as part of that program.
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((TITLE: TV US Ukraine Refugees – Bafradzhian
HEAD: More than 110,000 Ukrainian Refugees Arrive in U.S. Since April
TEASER:
PUBLISHED AT: 03/03/2023 at 8:30am
BYLINE: Karina Bafradzhian
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE: Alexandria, Virginia
VIDEOGRAPHER: Alexander Bergan
PRODUCER:
VIDEO SOURCE (S): VOA
PLATFORMS: TV only
SCRIKPT EDITORS: KEnochs; MAS
TRT: 2:26
VID APPROVED BY: KE
TYPE: TVPKG
UPDATE: All interviews are Zoom and cleared for use))
((INTRO))
[[Since the launch of a U.S. government program called Uniting for Ukraine in April 2022, more than 113,000 Ukrainians have arrived in the US, according to the Department of Homeland Security. Karina Bafradzhian met with one Ukrainian family who arrived as part of that program.]]
((NARRATION))
Ukrainian Mariia Goncharova and her two sons have been living in this Alexandria, Virginia apartment for just a few weeks. It’s their first apartment in the US since they arrived in the country as part of a U.S. government program called Uniting for Ukraine.
Goncharova says knowing English has made life here easier. And while it’s difficult to be away from her husband who remains in Ukraine, she says they are beginning to settle.
((Mariia Goncharova, Ukrainian Refugee)) ((RUS))
“I had to deal with paperwork, receive SSN, register kids at school – all this lasted for a couple of months. But now that some time has passed, it’s become easier, we’re adapting, the kids are going to school again…”
((NARRATION))
The mother says her family is relatively comfortable in America but thinks fondly of their life in Ukraine. They lived in the city of Nova Kakhovka in the Kherson region, where Mariia worked as a massage therapist. Her seven-year-old Mark recalls the day life changed.
((Mark, Ukrainian Refugee)) ((RUS))
“I was very happy in Ukraine, but then suddenly war started. My mom and dad woke me up, I didn’t hear anything. When I got up, I saw suitcases. I thought we’re going somewhere. But mom said war started…”
((NARARTION))
13-year Stefan remembers the confusion of that day.
((Stefan, Ukrainian Refugee)) ((RUS))
“Mom was shouting, ‘Get up, get up, we’re leaving!’ I thought we’re going on a trip through Ukraine if I’m honest, maybe my parents organized a surprise trip! But no, turned out it was war.”
((NARRATION))
On this day, Goncharova had yet to find a job and was working to get her license for massage therapy. Meanwhile, her husband works transporting freight in Ukraine and sends money to his family across the ocean.
((NARRATION))
Goncharova says she doesn’t plan to go back to Ukraine even if the war ends soon. Her main goal for now is to see Ukraine’s victory – and unite with her husband, so that together they can build a new life in America.
((Karina Bafradzhian for VOA News, Alexandria, Virginia))
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Embargo DateMarch 3, 2023 09:06 EST
BylineKarina Bafradzhian
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
