Советую всем прочитать этот пост. Я скопировала его в другой группе.
Коментар одного з тих канадців, які відкривають свої двері для прийому біженців з України. Як кажуть: ложка дьогтю на бочку меду.
Over the past couple of weeks, there seems to be a small, yet growing misunderstanding of the Canadian hosts. I wanted to take a moment to explain a few things to potential guests to help clarify things. Across the country in many of the groups like this, there is a changing dynamic and I think it would be helpful to really understand a few things.
As Ukrainian newcomers, the government is giving YOU money [$3000 per person] to get started. Hosts receive $0 compensation from the government or from charities. Host families are spending their own money to facilitate all of this.
The majority of hosts (at least in my experience) at middle-class "blue collar" families. We are not rich. Wealthy people in Canada likely will write a tax-refundable donation to the red-cross, but they will not be the one's to invite you into their homes.
Hosts are opening their homes because it is the right thing to do.
As mentioned in a previous post though, there is starting to become a shortage of hosts (not everyone in Canada wants or is able to do this). We are seeing many more requests almost demanding space, or with unrealistic expectations. I am sorry, but no one in Canada is going to give you free room and board for a year while you or your children go to school. That is an unrealistic expectation. If you are coming to Canada, you should expect to work.
Most hosts will live in "average" homes. They may have a private or semi private area for you, but it is unlikely these areas will be your "forever home" in Canada. You will be integrated into these people's routines and families. As a result, it would be a normal expectation of hosts that guests contribute to the household. Perhaps at the start it will just be household tasks, but at some point, that may consider some financial contributions.
Most people in Canada have a mortgage. Both partners typically work. Expenses are high and our inflation rate is growing. Food is expensive. If someone is offering to house you, they are making a significant financial contribution to your future.
It is absolutely appropriate to ask for help, and to look for host families that meet your own geographical requirements, as well as the correct personality fit. It is not correct to use this devastating event to take advantage of folks who as mentioned, are just regular working class people.
I have seen (and other group coordinators will likely confirm) an increase of people with significant financial means looking for free housing, while posting on their own social media about their expensive purchases, and unfortunately trying to find as many free things as possible (both from the government and various organizations). Now is not the time to be purchasing Gucci tshirts all while asking working Canadians to give you free room and board or wondering where the free flights are.
From coast to coast to coast, folks involved in coordinating homestays, travel arrangements etc. in Canada are doing this as volunteers. They are not being compensated. This has been EXTREMELY rewarding for many (if not all) of us. But it is important also to not attempt to try and and take advantage of working class people that just want to help you.
While 99.9% of the homestay requests I see are legitimate, fair, kind, etc., the .1% can cause a lot of frustration, and may prevent a host from opening their home at all.
