A safe home for Christmas
NORWICH − In March, as Russian forces poured into Ukraine following their invasion the previous month, the Schamota family of Dnipro made the decision to flee to Poland. They left behind their home and family business of selling and installing solar panels.
Roman and Kateryna and their two children, Andrii, 16, and Dmytro, 11, ended up in an apartment near the Polish city of Kraków. With the Russian military threatening the use of nuclear weapons, the feeling of safety and security was short-lived.
"It was kind of scary, we were 50 miles from Ukraine at that moment," Andrii said.
Now, a few months later, they will enjoy Christmas in Norwich, far from the frontlines, hosted by Timothy Taylor and his wife Carmen Fernandez.
When the Schamotas decided they needed to be further from the war, they created a profile on the website host4ukraine. Within hours, Taylor had made contact, and two months later, on Dec. 12, the Schamotas arrived at Taylor's home. "We didn't believe it was possible, we wanted to be safe and secure and away from the war, so Timothy helped us to get here. We saw a good man in him," Andrii said. He is the family translator, having learned English in school and his lessons augmented by watching English language television shows and movies.
With Russians attacking from Belarus in the north, and the annexed territories of Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk and Zaporizhzhia to the south and east, the Schamotas feared Russian troops would cut them off from the outside world and the chance to escape to Poland. When Ukrainian forces opened a route to the west, they took it, gathering what they could in two suitcases in the family car. "We had one road from Dnipro to Poland, people were dying trying to get out," Andrii said. "Even in Poland we saw cars with bullet holes."
The Schamotas can stay for up to two years, although Roman and Kateryna are anxious to return to Ukraine as soon as possible. Roman said he is grateful to the United States for helping Ukraine during the war. "America gives Ukraine a chance to be a free and democratic country," he said. "We appreciate all of the help from the United States." He scoffs at the idea that the country is part of Russia. "We are a different country, we have our own language, our own culture. We are not friends with Russia," he said, pointing to a long history of oppression of the Ukrainian language and culture during its time as a Soviet province.
The boys are expected to start school in the East Muskingum district soon, although details are still being worked out as to what grade they will attend. In Ukraine, Andrii would be in his final year of school, but the students only go for 11 years there. They both enjoy sports and physical education. "I would love to see an American school," Andrii said.
While they are in the United States, Roman said he would like to see Manhattan, and the house from the movie "Home Alone" in Chicago. Andrii would like to see New York City during the Christmas season. Dmytro would like to visit Disney World. Kateryna said she is happy with what she sees out the windows of Taylor's home − safety and security.
"We are very thankful to Timothy, very thankful for everything he did for us. He is a very good man, he has a really big heart," Roman said.
"It happened lightning speed quick," said Taylor, who had been following the war. "I said I am not doing enough; I was thinking it was my turn to step up." He went to the host4ukraine website on Oct. 2, and the Schamotas were the first family he saw. "We talked the next day on WhatsApp, and we decided let's make this work"
The family gained refugee status, and were granted rapid entry to the United States. The paperwork was submitted on Oct. 28th, and by Nov. 5 they were approved to enter the US. Taylor and the Schamotas met in Dublin on Dec. 10, and they arrived in Norwich three days later. "I have a nice big family and a nice big circle of friends, and they have all stepped in to share the burden," he said. "It comes down to the point of paying it forward, and if we are smart enough to recognized it when we are called to action."
Taylor has started a GoFundMe fundraiser to help defray the costs of the Shamota family's stay.
ccrook@gannett.com
740-868-3708
@crookphoto
This article originally appeared on Zanesville Times Recorder: A safe home for Christmas
