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Reunited and Safe: Ukrainian Family Finds Hope in Canada

Thanks to your donation:

Origin Country: Ukraine
Destination Country: Canada
Airline/Award Program: Air Canada/Aeroplan
Passengers: 5
Points redeemed: 155,700
Amount paid in taxes and fees: $307.91
Alleviated airfare for the family: $4,030

“My children spent almost two years at school and kindergarten in a bomb shelter because Russian drones and missiles often flew over the city and bombarded our and neighbor cities. My oldest son, practically in his first year of school, didn’t study because of alarms and blackouts. And my daughter, in kindergarten, mostly played in a cellar that was adapted to be a bomb shelter.”

The war in Ukraine has displaced millions of people, tearing families apart and leaving them with difficult choices. One such family is the Onyskivs, who found themselves separated by distance and despair. But thanks to the generosity of Miles4Migrants, our partner NGO Safe Passage 4 Ukraine, and all our supporters, they are finally reunited and rebuilding their lives in Canada.

Fleeing the War and Facing Uncertainty

Before the war, the Onyskiv family lived in the Ukrainian city of Ternopil. Their children spent their school days huddled in bomb shelters, unable to experience a normal childhood. Mr. Onyskiv, a former university lecturer, had started a small business to support his family. However, the war shattered their world. The economy collapsed, leaving Mr. Onyskiv the sole provider for his growing family.

A Difficult Decision and a Glimmer of Hope

With limited resources and a desperate need for safety, Mr. Onyskiv made the agonizing decision to leave for Canada alone. He managed to secure a ticket for himself, leaving his wife and children behind in war-torn Ukraine. While Mr. Onyskiv found a good job in Canada, the financial burden of reuniting his family seemed insurmountable. He reached out to Miles4Migrants, and we connected him with our partner NGO, Safe Passage 4 Ukraine.

Miles4Migrants and Safe Passage 4 Ukraine: A Powerful Collaboration

Miles4Migrants and Safe Passage 4 Ukraine combined their efforts to make this reunion possible. Miles4Migrants used 155,700 Aeroplan points and covered $307.91 in taxes and fees, alleviating the family’s airfare burden by a significant $4,030. Safe Passage 4 Ukraine navigated the complexities of the legal and resettlement process, ensuring a smooth transition for the Onyskiv family.

A New Beginning in Canada

Today, the Onyskiv family is finally together in Canada. The family is diligently learning English, paving the way for a brighter future.

How Miles4Migrants helps

We collaborate with a network of global non-governmental organization (NGO) partners who work directly with refugees and migrants to identify and verify individuals who are financially unable to afford air travel. Once our partners submit flight requests, we use donated frequent flyer miles, credit card points, travel vouchers, and cash to eliminate transportation barriers for the most vulnerable individuals affected by war, persecution, or climate disaster. Our goal is to help these individuals reunite with their loved ones and start a new life in a safe environment.

Learn more about us in our FAQ

Support our work

There are many ways for you to get involved and help us continue our work:

You can donate cash to help us cover operational expenses or contribute your unused air miles, credit card points, or travel vouchers to help us book flights for refugees and asylum seekers. Additionally, you can help us spread the word about our cause and our impact on the lives of those we serve.

Every donation, no matter how big or small, has the power to make a difference. Thank you for considering supporting our mission.

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