50 Faces of SECC – Olga

Olga grew up in Konstantinovka, a small city located in the Donetsk region of Ukraine. Like many, she had a typical childhood going to school, playing with friends and learning music. She has fond memories of her home with a large vegetable garden and a variety of farm animals, including hens, ducks, rabbits, and nutrias. Her early years of spending time with animals contributed to her love of animals, especially cats.

In 2012, she met her husband, Daniil while attending college, and they started their life together. They moved to a different city in hopes of building a new life. With the entrepreneurial spirit they both had, they each started small businesses and began a family. Olga created a small cleaning company. In her own words, “Finally it seemed our life started to develop. But, February 24, 2022, became a turning point in our life…” Due to the conflict in Ukraine, she and her extended family sought refuge in Canada. On July 17, 2022, they arrived in Leamington with the help of a team of volunteers. According to Olga, “thanks to the Canadian team of volunteers, we got a second chance for a safe and normal life. I’ll never forget their kindness.”

Olga started Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) classes at SECC in September 2022 and worked at Tim Horton’s. Both experiences have given her the opportunity to improve her language skills and explore Canadian culture. As she approaches her one-year anniversary in Canada, things are coming full circle for Olga. Living in Leamington has sparked her entrepreneurial spirit once again. She has just opened her own upholstery and carpet cleaning company. Olga is an extrovert and loves working with people and making new contacts. She is inspired by people who aren’t afraid of achieving their goals. In our eyes, Olga is an inspiration for others.