Ukrainian mom and daughter find comfort in Cambridge, Ont., after bumpy welcome to Canada

A mother and daughter from Ukrainethought they had secured a place to live in Canada to escape the war in their home country. But they ended up being scammed out of $2,000 and stranded at the airport in Toronto.

Alena Neklyudovaand her nine-year-old daughter,SashaVolkova,left their family behind, including Neklyudova's husband and a 19-year-old son, who have been conscripted to fight for Ukraine during the Russian invasion.

While still in Ukraine, they shuttled from place to place to avoid the war,taking shelter from bombsin a friend's apartment building or in random basements.

"I still have nightmares from it," Sashatold CBC Kitchener-Waterloo.

They travelledthrough Moldova, Romania and Bulgaria before endingup in Turkey all in one night before catching a flight to Toronto in March.

Neklyudova said she pre-paid$2,000 to arrange for a place to stay in Montreal before she and her daughter flewto Canada. The package deal included a pickup in Toronto, transportation to Montreal and temporaryhousing.

But when they landed at Pearson International Airport on March 17, no one was there to greet them, and it became clear that whoever took her money was not going to show up.

With nowhere to go,Neklyudovamade a franticpost on the Facebook page Canada-Hosts Ukrainians, askingfor help.

Dozens of people responded to her message, including "Sergey"in Cambridge, Ont. CBC News has agreed to grant him confidentiality becauseofconcerns about security and safety.

Sergey discoveredNeklyudova's postwhilescanning various Facebook groups to learn how he couldhelp the refugee effortin Ukraine.

"This was literally anSOS call, like 'Save Our Selves' because they really didn't have anywhere to go," he said.

Sergey speaks Russian and alsohas relatives in Ukraine who have been affected by the war. He said aftera quick introduction and exchange ofinformation, he went to the airport the next day to pick up the pair.

"When she came here, both of them, they looked disoriented," he said.

"Like, 'Where are we? What are we doing here? Should we maybe go back?'" Sergeysaid, translating forNeklyudova.

'They actually started smiling'

Neklyudovaand her daughter have been staying with Sergey and his family of six for almost two weeks. Hehas helped her get settled, whether it's driving them to appointmentsor enrolling Sashain school.

Sasha said she's excited to go back to schoolbut admits she's a little nervous. Neklyudova is also eager to find work and improve her English.

"I am veryhappy," Neklyudovasaid since connecting with Sergey and his family.

"They actually started smiling after being here andconnecting with some people in the community and even with our neighbours," Sergeyadded.

Neklyudovasaidshe'sthankfulwith how supportive the community has been since they arrived in Cambridgeand hopesshe canreunite with her family once things settle in Ukraine.

"I didn't have hope at all a week ago, but now I do," she said.

As for the $2,000, there's little hope of seeing that again.