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13 | O akville B eaver | T hursday,A ugust 25,2022 insidehalton.com ✓ Patient Counselling ✓ Complete Diabetic Care ✓ Home Visits ✓ Consultations ✓ Free RX Delivery ✓ Free Nutrition Counselling ✓ Vaccinations ✓ Cholesterol, A1C, AFib and DNA Screening DE RANGO PHARMACY INC. Always Here to Help You! PLATINUM WINNER 2021 478 Dundas Street West 905-257-9737 2501 Third Line 905-465-3000 Pharmacist - Fabio De Rango Drug Store/Pharmacy www.shoppersdrugmart.ca NOW OPEN 24 HRS EVERY DAY 497 Pinegrove Rd., Oakville 905.849.4944 • www.adonisrestaurant.ca SpeerS rd. pINeGrOVe rd. m O r d e N r d . d O r V A L d r . QeW You've tried the rest....Now try the best! We have your favourites and are open for Takeout and all of your Catering needs. Tues-Thurs 11-7, Fri 11-8, Sat 12-8 Closed Sunday and Monday FREE DIPFREE DIP AUGUST 25 TH - SEPTEMBER 22ND 2022 236 LAKESHORE ROAD E, OAKVILLE, ON L6J 1H7 *Applicable at Oakvi l le only. Cannot be combined with any other offer. 1 Coupon per transaction. No cash value A SUMMER SUMMER SUMMER SUMMER THE SUMMER IS MAGIC LAKESHORE ROAD E , OAKV I L LE , ON L6J 1H7 CO M E V I S I T U S ! SUMMER SUMMER SUMMER SUMMER THE 236 LAKESHORE R Among the Ukrainian families who have fled the horror in their homeland and landed in Oakville are several children who have found some joy and distrac- tion within the walls of the Oakville Academy for the Arts. At the invitation of own- er Heidi Schofield, and un- der her watchful eye, ap- proximately 16 Ukrainian children have spent the summer in performing and visual arts camps. Other youngsters have dropped in for shorter periods. Schofield was moved to act when she watched streams of vehicles drop- ping off donations for the newcomers at the Ukraini- an church in her neighbour- hood -- and opened up her camps to free up time for the adults trying to resettle their families. "It's quite moving. There are just things that are be- yond our comprehension here. There are a lot of wom- en coming with their chil- dren and their mothers; they're trying to find work and trying to find sustaina- bility for their families. "In a two-parent house- hold, usually someone could stay home, but they're coming without friends, without people to go to." In her bid to help where she could, Schofield was al- so connected to a young Ukrainian woman who had owned her own dance studio outside of Kyiv. When the rumbling from the low-fly- ing planes shook the ground and the bombs shattered buildings and lives, Mariia Zaichenko fled at her hus- band's urging and found ref- uge here and a job at the academy. "I wanted to work in a dance studio just because it's what I can do," said Zai- chenko, who has been danc- ing since she was four. "I have husband in Ukraine. I'm here trying to find out is it possible to stay here, to build from the beginning our life? It's like the war is still continue, it's not stop- ping." Along with teaching, Zai- chenko is translating for the Ukrainian children and helping them adjust to their new surroundings. "I love it. To teach and be around chil- dren ... I feel comfortable." "Mariia is our own little hummingbird," said Scho- field. "She's just really love- ly and she's very sweet, and she's just worked really hard to help these children find their way. When they need speaking to in their own language for comfort or for explanation, she's just been amazing. And in the meantime, her own heart's broken. "She genuinely cares about what she does. More so than you and I will ever understand, she under- stands how hard it is for them." Zaichenko said she want- ed to thank Canadians for their kindness, not only to- ward her but all Ukrainians who have fled to this coun- try. "How they help with open hearts. Just really car- ing and trying to help. I meet only great people. Thank you to everyone." AN ARTISTIC REFUGE FOR DISPLACED UKRAINIAN CHILDREN Pictured are Ukrainian children who participated in the Oakville Academy for the Arts summer camps at the invitation of owner Heidi Schofield (back right). The children were joined by dance teacher Mariia Zaichenko (back left) after she fled her homeland when Russia invaded. Kyle Hosick/Agency1 Inc photo KATHY YANCHUS kyanchus@metroland.com NEWS NEWLY ARRIVING YOUTH ENJOYING FREE SUMMER CAMP "I love it. To teach and be around children . I feel comfortable." - Mariia Zaichenko