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Transcript/ScriptUSAGM SHARE
((PLAYBOOK SLUG: TV Hispanic Families in Ukraine - Smit
HEADLINE: Hispanic families in Ukraine face challenges and make decisions
TEASER:
PUBLISHED AT: March 7, 2022 at 3:15pm
BYLINE: Cristina Caicedo Smit
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE: Washington
VIDEOGRAPHER:
VIDEO EDITOR:
PRODUCER:
SCRIPT EDITORS: KE(1st), MAS
VIDEO SOURCE (S):
PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB __ TV _ RADIO _
TRT: 1:56
VID APPROVED BY: KE
TYPE: TVPKG
EDITOR NOTES:
((INTRO))
[[The majority of immigrants living in Ukraine come from neighboring countries in Eastern Europe. But there are those from other continents too. Cristina Caicedo Smit spoke with some families who arrived from Latin America and face an unfolding war.
((NARRATOR))
Just a few days before the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Ángel Villares - who lives in Kyiv - was preparing to travel to his native Ecuador to visit his family.
But he tested positive for COVID and decided to postpone the trip. As he quarantined at home, Russian troops invaded Ukraine. A day later, Villares decided to flee.
((Ángel Villares, Ecuadorian Resident in Ukraine)) ((IN SPANISH))
((Credit Mandatory Zoom))
“We took our computers, documents, cash and a change of clothes.”
((NARRATOR))
After days of traveling, Villares arrived at Bila Tserkva in Central Ukraine.
On the way, he saw people walking with strollers, long lines at the grocery store, people waiting in cars and desperate families trying to evacuate Kyiv.
Villares and his girlfriend are not sure what they’ll do next. But neither wants to leave Ukraine.
((Ángel Villares, Ecuadorian National in Ukraine)) ((IN SPANISH))
((Credit Zoom))
“I feel a sense of ownership. Even I if don’t speak the language, or if I don’t have any Ukrainian documents, this is also my country. I would like to help in any way.”
((NARRATOR))
Colombian national Julián Tapias came to start a family with his Ukrainian wife. Now, he says, they’re living a nightmare.
((Julián Tapias, Colombian National in Ukraine)) ((IN SPANISH)) ((Mandatory Zoom))
"Yesterday, three houses from where my brother-in-law lives, which is a residential area, the remains of a Russian plane fell and even the remains of the pilot of that plane."
((NARRATOR))
Venezuelan Guillermo López, is sheltering at home with his wife and children a 4-year-old boy and an 8-month-old girl, who are Ukrainian.
((Guillermo López, Venezuelan in Ukraine)) ((IN SPANISH)) ((Video courtesy: Guillermo López))
“It fills me with pride that my children were born in a country like this. They really are a united nation, and they want to see their country free and independent."
((NARRATOR))
Hoping for the best, these Latin American migrants are trying to decide their next steps. While their paths forward will likely diverge, they all hold a common hope that the war in Ukraine will soon end.
((Cristina Caicedo Smit, VOA News Washington.))
NewsML Media TopicsConflict, War and Peace
NetworkVOA
Embargo DateMarch 7, 2022 15:02 EST
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English