My name is Olena Abramova and I am a citizen of Ukraine who fled the war and now lives in Auburn. My home and family are still in Bila Therkva ("White Church"), which is in the Kyiv region. Every day in my city, there are rockets blasts and many funerals for soldiers and civilians.
Each morning when I wake up, I check on people and see that schools, hospitals and university buildings have been destroyed. The Ukrainian people live in permanent distress over this war. I cannot forget what is happening in my country.
I escaped, first to Poland and then to Luxemburg, staying about six months. I started to look for an American sponsor family on a special Facebook page specific for Ukrainian refugees. My initial sponsor was a Bosnian family living in Indiana.
They knew all the processes and documents needed for a temporary visa. Once I applied and was accepted, I had a choice of a family in Texas or one in New York. Before I came to the U.
S. I did not speak English, but studied France and Russian in school and university. Every day, I am immersed and learn more and more.
I have no choice at home or at work but to speak English. It is my dream to become proficient, as it is important to my future. I chose Auburn and have been living here with Sheila and Sam Giangreco, my wonderful host family.
They and their children have accepted me as a member of their family, taking me on vacations, to Buffalo Bills games and to Las Vegas. I have experienced American holidays like Thanksgiving, t.
