Because the struggle in Ukraine continued to escalate, the the Bezhenar household made the troublesome choice to go away the nation in July. They needed to go away every thing behind – their enterprise, their residence, and even their pets, which devastated their 10-year-old daughter.
"We couldn't take any animals that now we have," Maria Bezhenar, a mother of three, instructed CBS Information. "We requested my brother-in-law to observe over the animals and the youngest one, Agnessa, she was crying each time. She says, 'I need to return residence. My animals are there, my cats are there.' And we could not assist her."
Bezhenar and her husband, Aleksander, first moved to Romania with their three daughters, Eleanor, Agnessa, and Angelina, in addition to Bezhenar's mom. They might solely keep quickly, so, they determined to maneuver to america. They promised Agnessa they might undertake a cat as soon as they acquired there.
Bezhenar discovered a program, UkraineTakeShelter.com, which helps refugees discover housing within the U.S., and she or he linked with Geoffry Peters in Cloverdale, California.
Peters has devoted his life to working for charities, and is now on the board of a fundraising company for nonprofits. His latest mission was serving to a household from Ukraine transfer to the U.S.
"Are you able to think about your life being turned the wrong way up and it's a must to go away a rustic you have by no means left earlier than, trip on an airplane you have by no means accomplished earlier than? Arrive in a brand new nation, study a language," Peters instructed CBS Information. "I imply, it is like ranging from scratch, solely it is on steroids. It is like every thing shifting 100 miles an hour."
Peters had a second residence for the Bezhenars and helped them expedite their transfer to the U.S. However they arrived just a little too rapidly – Peters and his spouse have been on trip after they acquired there in July.
"The home was an empty home," he mentioned. "So, we contacted all of our pals locally right here in Cloverdale, California and actually they furnished your complete home from high to backside. Beds for each individual within the household, kitchenware, utensils, plates."
His grandchildren greeted the household with indicators on the airport and drove them to Cloverdale, the place they noticed how beneficiant the neighborhood had been, Bezhenar mentioned, calling the second "unbelievable."
Finally, Peters and his spouse arrived residence and met the Bezhenars, and so they shaped a connection. "Once we noticed them, they grew to become like our father and mom. I name him 'adoptive father,'" Bezhenar mentioned.
Since coming to the U.S., the household has made many adjustments. They've gotten their California drivers licenses. The ladies have enrolled at school — the 2 eldest in junior school. And Aleksander is working to restart his profession promoting and putting in wallpaper. They even adopted a brand new cat, however Agnessa nonetheless felt one factor was nonetheless lacking — their beloved cat, Arsenii.
As destiny would have it, Bezhenar befriended a flight attendant on the way in which to the U.S.. She saved in contact along with her and requested if she knew anybody who might assist.
"I requested her if she is aware of one thing in regards to the cats, how cats can fly and what paperwork cats want. And he or she says, 'I do not actually find out about this, however my pal who's one other flight attendant from Hawaii, she should know every thing about that,'" Bezhenar recollects.
That second flight attendant knew individuals who labored for an animal rescue. They contacted somebody from the rescue, who was already in Europe on trip. She volunteered to tack on some further journey — to select up Arsenii, bringing him to all the way in which to California.
"She simply determined to journey to Bucharest to do every thing wanted for the cat, and she or he introduced the cat again to Greece and from Greece to Montreal and from Montreal to Seattle and from Seattle to San Francisco. That was a protracted journey," Bezhenar mentioned.
This time, the Bezhenar household have been those ready on the airport with indicators: "Welcome residence Arsenii." Agnessa cried tears of pleasure.
They left many issues behind in Ukraine, however in California, they gained household. "We're surrounded by good individuals right here," Bezhenar mentioned.