‘I know in my heart that they will be welcomed’

Ukrainian couple work toward fulfilling dream of owning small café

They come from a city of millions of people and now live in the small town of Heart’s Delight, and they had little with them when they exited the plane but a desire to feel safe and a dream.

“We always loved to cook and always wanted to have our own small café,” Vita Prokopenko said in a Zoom interview. “And when we arrived in Newfoundland, we wanted to (show) Canadian people our food.’”

Before Russia invaded Ukraine, displacing millions of people in the process, Vita and Eduard Prokopenko lived in Kyiv, where Vita worked in a library and Eduard drove tractor-trailers.

Debbie Robinson has been following their journey and communicating with them online for many months. She offered them a place to stay when they arrived.

And since arriving, Robinson has found joy in watching them cook.

“Watching them in that kitchen, cooking and laughing and they’re free as a bird and they’re so appreciative and thankful for the little things in life,” Robinson said in a telephone interview.

It has given Robinson a renewed outlook on the things that matter most in life, she says.

UKRAINIAN CAFÉ

Because they’re still learning English, Vita uses her phone to translate the questions. Then, in Ukrainian, she says her answer back into the phone, which translates it into English, so she’s able to read back her response.

But communicating their appreciation for the province they now call home and the people who have helped them since arriving in October needs no device at all.

“We’re very happy, because we have around us friendly people, very positive, and who want to help our family,” Vita said.

As they wait to get documents in order and a building to house their culinary dream, Vita has found work in a longterm care home. Eduard is waiting to be approved to drive tractor-trailers in Canada.

In the meantime, they’ve been selling the only things they’re allowed — baked goods such as bread and apple cinnamon pastries, Vita said.

“It’s very, very tasty and the people who taste it now said, ‘Very delicious,’” Vita said.

‘THEY’LL BE WELCOMED’

One of the first questions Vita asked Robinson since landing in the province was whether they would have to give up their Ukrainian customs.

It was a firm “No” from Robinson.

“It’s so important for them to keep their culture, their heritage, and introducing it to Newfoundlanders. And I know in my heart that they’ll be welcomed when they open up their café,” Robinson said.

They even have plans to share each other’s traditions this year with a Newfoundland and Labrador-style Christmas and a Ukrainianstyle Christmas.

It will take some time before their dream becomes a reality, but they’re already experimenting with different kinds and flavours of pastries. They look forward to broadening their menu once they have the appropriate documentation.

The hope is that the café will not only be a favourite for locals, but a destination for people from larger areas like St. John’s.