12-year-old Ukrainian refugee boy and his family in Palm Desert, seeking community support
Maksim Khorin is a 12-year-old boy from Ukraine who was able to escape his home country along with his grandparents.
They were able to flee Ukraine's capital, Kyiv, and head to the Poland border as the Russian invasion was starting. They soon after made their way to the Coachella Valley by plane.
The three of them are currently staying in Palm Desert with Khorin's aunt and uncle. They arrived on March 7.
Since Khorin and his grandparents arrived in the Coachella Valley, a GoFundMe for them was started to help with expenses and support them. It reads in part:
My name is Vlada March and I was born in Kharkiv, Ukraine. A few days ago Maksim, a 12 year old boy from Ukraine and his grandparents had to flee their hometown of Kiev after it was attacked by Russia. They are currently refugees and are located in Palm Desert, California. They left their entire lives behind and we want to help them as much as possible. We organized this GoFund me page to support the family during these challenging times.
Help Maksim a Ukrainian refugee boy and his family
Click here to donate to the family's GoFundMe
You can arrange to drop off donations of items through the fundraising organizer.
Khorin spoke to News Channel 3 through Vlada March, a family friend who translated.
"It's war. He's upset that there's a lot of buildings that are being damaged," said March. "And I think it's hard for him to really understand that at his age, what's going on, and what the full scope of war is at this point."
Khorin's mother and stepfather are still back in Ukraine staying safe near the Poland border. His stepfather is a volunteer helping provide food, clothes, and necessities to Ukrainians fighting the war. Khorin makes sure to stay in contact with his parents daily.
"He really misses his parents but hopefully they'll be back soon... we really hope so," said March.
Although much is uncertain, Khorin's mother finds peace knowing her son is safe and taken care of.
"She's very grateful for the support she's been receiving-- her son has been receiving from the community, from family," said March. "She hopes that no other child needs to go through what they had to go through-- what the people of Ukraine had to go through...They're hoping for the best. It is very, very scary. They don't really know what to do next to this point."
Khorin is continuing his education at Palm Desert Charter Middle School, however, he speaks little English.
"He really likes school. He has been having a wonderful experience," said March. "Everyone is very kind to him."
Khorin uses his phone as a translator at school. He'll soon start an English learner class after placement tests.
Adjusting to a new normal not knowing if and when he will ever go back to the life he once had.
"Well, the way it looks, I don't think he'll be able to go back home anytime soon," said March.
Khorin's grandparents are in their late 60s. The grandmother is currently diagnosed with breast cancer and needs to continue her treatment in the valley.
