Artem Matviichuk, right, was our speaker on Thursday, and was introduced by the Rev. Jim Hale, one of our Rotary members who is pastor of The Saratoga Chapel on East Line Road.
A year ago, Artem was living in Irpin, near Bucha, northwest of Kyiv, Ukraine, with his wife and two sons, now aged 10 and 6. The younger son has special needs, having encountered grave health problems from infancy. Toward the end of February last year, tensions increased with Russia, and there were rumors an invasion was imminent, but "Nobody believed it could happen." In particular, no one expected a Russian attempt to capture Kyiv, so when that did happen Artem and his family were shocked by bombs falling not far from their home.
They fled in their car from Russian helicopter gunships and tanks, but weren't sure where to go, were delayed by checkpoints and witnessed a shooting incident "like what you see in movies." The couple's parents lived -- and still live -- in the Odessa area, but Artem and his family headed farther west in Ukraine, and then crossed the border into Poland.
"At first we expected to go back," he said, but then came the reports of many civilians killed and most property destroyed in his hometown vicinity, which was eventually recaptured by the Ukrainian military after the Russians failed to take Kyiv and withdrew from that area. They travelled via Tijuana, Mexico to San Diego, California, and now live in Scotia, NY. Artem, a graphic designer, received US work papers this year, and is seeking employment.
Jeff Kimble, a neighbor of Artem's and member of The Saratoga Chapel, also was at the meeting. "Jim's church helped us a lot," Artem said. (Jeff spoke to our club last year on a different topic.)
Artem said many people have helped his family along their way. He is left with the realization of "how life can change, fast, in a second."
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