Ukrainians find a safe haven in Canjayar

By Linda Hall • 19 March 2022 • 17:30

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED: The team who brought 43 Ukrainians to Canjayar Photo credit: David Gonzalez

CANJAYAR’S normal population of around 1,200 increased by 43 on March 19.

The additional inhabitants are all from Ukraine and 13 of them are orphans aged between six and 17.

They can now live safely in Canjayar thanks to David Gonzalez, an Asturian living in Laujar del Andarax who works as a mountain guide, and former policeman, Ramon Ortiz.

With transport provided by Almeria travel company Frahermar, David and Ramon were able to set out for Poland with supplies for Ukrainian refugees forced to leave their invaded and devastated country.

Once there, they planned to pick up the orphans and as many adults as they could and, as David told the Spanish media once the party were in Canjayar, everything went according according to plan.

“It is a happy ending for Ramon, for me and for this big family that we have brought with us. We don’t even know how to explain it,” he said.

“Everything turned out the way we hoped and now we’re here, we know that people are going to help us.”

The actual journey was over, David added, but he said he was aware that the children and families they had brought to Spain were starting out on another, very important journey.

“Everything is ready so they can live here comfortably,” said Canjayar’s mayor Juan Jose Romero. “We shall find help for them, especially the orphans, although the mothers with children will eventually be able to work and we shall help them look for employment.”