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ROADS: Why people from former Soviet countries are coming to the Valley
By Alice Mannette/Staff
Staunton News Leader, VA
April 21 2005
In 1991, the Berlin Wall came down, the cement blocks were crushed
and many Soviet satellite nations gained independence. With this
new-found freedom came economic hardship, religious persecution of the
non-dominant "new" religion and an ability to immigrate - if selected.
"We left at the time when it was the most devastating: no water,
electricity or power," said Nuné Mirzoyan. "We were starving and it
was impossible."
Armenia had suffered economic hardship and a war with neighboring
Islamic-dominated Azerbaijan. The Mirzoyans became refugees, and after
years of harsh circumstances the family was sponsored by Staunton
Grace Christian Church. A little more than six years ago, the church
helped Samuel Mirzoyan find an engineering job and his wife and two
sons an apartment.
"We were so welcomed. People prepared an apartment for us with
everything in it. And I mean everything," Nuné Mirzoyan said.
In neighboring Kazakhstan, another former Soviet Republic, the dominant
religion is Islam. Toly Kalashnikov fled to the Valley with his family
five years ago because of what he termed "ethnic problems." His
father, a former speed skating coach, is working in construction.
Ben Zudilin, also of Kazakhstan, said there are more opportunities
in the United States. At one time, he had eight relatives living in
a three-bedroom apartment in Harrisonburg.
"Most of my uncles, aunts and grandmothers are now here," Zudilin said.
Garotb Borodin, who immigrated to Bridgewater from Kazakhstan almost
nine years ago, said religion is a big part of the reason for coming
to the United States.
"My dad said that he didn't want us to go through what he did -
Christian persecution," said Sergei Kvitko of Kyrgyzstan. "When they
opened the doors to come to America, we did."
Kvitko's wife Barbara Zaphrozyea is from the Ukraine. The couple
first lived in Los Angeles where they learned English. Their pastor
helped them assimilate. Then they heard of relatives in the Valley
and thought the smaller community would be simpler.
Others from the Ukraine, like Victor Klopov, said they were looking
for new opportunities. Nina Zotov from Belarus agrees. "My parents
were looking for more freedom to do things they wanted to. They came
here and started all over," Zotov said.
But Svetlana and Pavel Khilkovich, Baptists from Belarus, cited
religious persecution from the Russian Orthodoxy as a reason for
leaving their homeland. The couple came as refugees, but were invited
by their relatives who reside in Harrisonburg.
"It is better there now. Before you were ridiculed in school. They
didn't want people gathering," Svetlana Khilkovich said.
Andrey Klimenko from Latvia said, "I want to live in America. There
are much better people here. Less problems."
Many Valley immigrants from the atheist former Soviet republics agree
with Mirzoyan when she says, "God was very faithful to us."
--Boundary_(ID_mHIAKAikJoThMTJEwQfCjQ)--
By Alice Mannette/Staff
Staunton News Leader, VA
April 21 2005
In 1991, the Berlin Wall came down, the cement blocks were crushed
and many Soviet satellite nations gained independence. With this
new-found freedom came economic hardship, religious persecution of the
non-dominant "new" religion and an ability to immigrate - if selected.
"We left at the time when it was the most devastating: no water,
electricity or power," said Nuné Mirzoyan. "We were starving and it
was impossible."
Armenia had suffered economic hardship and a war with neighboring
Islamic-dominated Azerbaijan. The Mirzoyans became refugees, and after
years of harsh circumstances the family was sponsored by Staunton
Grace Christian Church. A little more than six years ago, the church
helped Samuel Mirzoyan find an engineering job and his wife and two
sons an apartment.
"We were so welcomed. People prepared an apartment for us with
everything in it. And I mean everything," Nuné Mirzoyan said.
In neighboring Kazakhstan, another former Soviet Republic, the dominant
religion is Islam. Toly Kalashnikov fled to the Valley with his family
five years ago because of what he termed "ethnic problems." His
father, a former speed skating coach, is working in construction.
Ben Zudilin, also of Kazakhstan, said there are more opportunities
in the United States. At one time, he had eight relatives living in
a three-bedroom apartment in Harrisonburg.
"Most of my uncles, aunts and grandmothers are now here," Zudilin said.
Garotb Borodin, who immigrated to Bridgewater from Kazakhstan almost
nine years ago, said religion is a big part of the reason for coming
to the United States.
"My dad said that he didn't want us to go through what he did -
Christian persecution," said Sergei Kvitko of Kyrgyzstan. "When they
opened the doors to come to America, we did."
Kvitko's wife Barbara Zaphrozyea is from the Ukraine. The couple
first lived in Los Angeles where they learned English. Their pastor
helped them assimilate. Then they heard of relatives in the Valley
and thought the smaller community would be simpler.
Others from the Ukraine, like Victor Klopov, said they were looking
for new opportunities. Nina Zotov from Belarus agrees. "My parents
were looking for more freedom to do things they wanted to. They came
here and started all over," Zotov said.
But Svetlana and Pavel Khilkovich, Baptists from Belarus, cited
religious persecution from the Russian Orthodoxy as a reason for
leaving their homeland. The couple came as refugees, but were invited
by their relatives who reside in Harrisonburg.
"It is better there now. Before you were ridiculed in school. They
didn't want people gathering," Svetlana Khilkovich said.
Andrey Klimenko from Latvia said, "I want to live in America. There
are much better people here. Less problems."
Many Valley immigrants from the atheist former Soviet republics agree
with Mirzoyan when she says, "God was very faithful to us."
--Boundary_(ID_mHIAKAikJoThMTJEwQfCjQ)--