New York school admits sisters who fled Ukraine amid crisis

A school in New York has offered to educate three sisters who fled the war in Ukraine. Roman Catholic elementary school located in Westchester County offered to educate the sisters.

Back in February, Maryna Zabialo and her daughters Viktoriia, Anastasiia, and Valentyna left their home on the border of Russia. First, they fled to Poland before their relative, who is a resident in Port Chester, offered to take them in.

Monsignor Donald Dwyer directed the principal at Resurrection School in Rye to test the sisters upon hearing about the girls needing to continue their education.

“We were wondering if they could handle the rigors of Catholic school in New York but we tested them and they’re OK,” Dwyer said.

“When you get dropped into a different culture and language, we want them to feel comfortable,” said Principal Gina Fonte. “That’s at the very core of what we do as Catholics.”

About $50,000 which covers the school year tuition for all three sisters was raised by the parish community at resurrection four months later. They are now learning a new language and making new friends. The sisters also have a tutor who spends time with each of them every day.