Baba’s Closet handing out hundreds of backpacks to displaced Ukrainian students

It’s just a matter of time before students find themselves in a classroom again, but some of them will be starting school in Canada for the first time.

Nettie Cherniatenski, manager of Baba’s Closet in Saskatoon, is trying to make life easier for hundreds of displaced Ukrainian students who will set foot in a Canadian classroom for the first time this fall.

To help ensure they’re ready for the start of classes, Cherniatenski has worked tirelessly to fill roughly 300 backpacks to the brim with different school supplies.

“Today’s a special day, especially for me. It brings back memories from when I went back to school. Mom got us a new outfit and a new pair of shoes,” Cherniatenski said. “What better way to spend money coming in than buying backpacks for all the kids?”

Nettie Cherniatenski stands next to hundreds of backpacks bought for Ukrainian refugees starting school in September. (Dallas Dahlseide/650 CKOM)

Cherniatenski, known around the community as Baba Nettie, said Ukrainian kids up to the age of 17 starting Grade 12 have the opportunity to come down to the store and pick out a backpack full of supplies.

Cherniatenski spent time grouping all of the backpacks into the proper age ranges, so each student gets exactly what they need for the school year ahead.

Cherniatenski said she’s even prepared some for those too young to start school.

“Even though they aren’t going to school, they still need a little backpack to haul their storybook or favourite animal,” Cherniatenski said.

One group of backpacks meant for children going into kindergarten contained several colouring books and pencil crayons. Another group was meant for students at the middle school level, and the last group was for high school students, according to Cherniatenski.

“Backpacks are not cheap, I found out. Whether they use it for school, for library books (or) swimming, it’s something from Baba. Hopefully they appreciate it,” Cherniatenski said. “It’s even hard to explain how I feel in my heart. It’s tugging my heartstrings.”

Maxine Bell is sponsoring two displaced Ukrainian children, and was one of the first parents through the door to claim backpacks for the two girls she’s housing.

She said she’s very excited for the girls to get back in a classroom and make new friends while learning more of the English language.

“I’m just excited for them. They’ve been to their school already. It’s a bilingual Ukrainian-English school, so I didn’t feel like they got thrown into the deep end,” Bell said.

“They already have friends there, and they’ve already been to summer camp and will meet some of the same kids again. It’s just like when my own kids started school.”

Bell said she and her family have really enjoyed their experience as sponsors. She said they just want the best for the girls.

“We have loved hosting,” Bell said. “It’s been very good for us, and it’s been good for them, and our family has embraced them. My grandkids, we call them their Canadian cousins, so I think we’ll be connected forever.”

Bell said she’s thankful a place like Baba’s Closet exists, and said it is a huge help for all Ukrainian families that are in need of supplies.