Mike Wolanin | The Republic Ukrainian refugee Oksana Bondar and her son, Columbus East High School exchange student Ivan Bondar, pose for a photo earlier this month at the home of host family Alex and Arina Machavariani in Columbus.
Columbus and Columbus East High School in September 2021 welcomed foreign exchange student Ivan Bondar from Ukraine. With the invasion of his homeland by Russia in February, Bondar essentially became a refugee, fearing daily for the safety of his family and friends, particularly his mother, Oksana.
The two shared a tearful reunion recently, after Oksana was able to arrive in Columbus, where she is staying with Ivan’s host family in the home of Alex and Arina Machavariani.
As we continue to hear of the day to day horrors of war in the Bondars’ homeland, it was refreshing to read Republic sports editor Ted Schultz’s story about Ivan’s persistent efforts to bring his mother here. While heartbreaking for what the Bondars have experienced, what shines through is hope for the future, and the power of kindness.
The Bondars are no stranger to conflict in their homeland, having fled after the first, limited Russian invasion of their former hometown in eastern Ukraine to Odesa in 2014. Oksana was then forced by war to flee from Odesa to Lithuania in the past year.
We are familiar, particularly at this time of year, with Scripture that admonishes us to show compassion and justice for immigrants and those in need. And we should feel grateful for neighbors like the Machavarianis, who graciously opened their home to Oksana.
When Ivan determined to get his mother to the United States, his host family jumped at the chance to help.
And so did his host community. This is what Ivan told Schultz say about that:
“I have been raising money for her and for the Ukrainian people who are suffering from the war. I cannot appreciate enough how much Columbus East has helped us from the material standpoint. I’ve always felt emotional support, as well, from all of the students and all of the teachers. All of them are still trying to check in with me, asking about her. They’re really interested, and they really care. Me and her really appreciate how much they have done for us and still are doing for us.”
Overjoyed as she was at the reunification with her son, Oksana is understandably weary. Also understandably, she feels at home here because her son is here. Both are determined to make new lives in America.
Oksana knows she must build a new life in a new land with an unfamiliar language, waiting first for the bureaucracy to sort itself out, get her Social Security number established so she can work and the like. But she can breathe easier now. Her life is changed, and many people in this community helped to make that happen.
This is what Oksana told Schultz, her son interpreting:
“Everything is ahead. I will be able to experience more good stuff in the United States. I’m very happy to finally be safe and finally be together with my son.”
Welcome to your new home, Oksana Bondar. You raised a good son. Slava Ukraini!
