A Journey of Hope: Siblings Who Fled Russia Earn Full Scholarships from The Schroeder Foundation
WINNIPEG – Ukrainian siblings Evgeniia Samoilova and Vladimir Samoilov, who fled Russia in search of safety and opportunity, have been awarded full post-secondary scholarships from The Schroeder Foundation.
Evgeniia (19) will study Video Game Design at Vancouver Film School (VFS) next year thanks to funding from both VFS and The Schroeder Foundation. Her brother Vladimir (22), a recipient of the Walter and Maria Schroeder full tuition scholarship in 2023, is currently studying Biochemistry at the University of Manitoba. His scholarship also offers wrap-around services including academic support staff, university readiness courses, and more. These scholarships are based on merit and were awarded separately, without knowledge of the sibling relationship.
“These opportunities are beyond our wildest dreams in coming to this country,” said Evgeniia, who just graduated from the CREATE post-high Game Design program at Sisler High School. “I couldn’t believe my ears when I heard I’d be getting the VFS scholarship. The same people who supported my brother’s future are now supporting me. My family is so proud and so grateful for this future that feels so hopeful.”
Evgeniia and Vladimir, along with their parents, left Russia just before the war when anti-Ukrainian sentiment was rampant. The family had attempted to hide their Ukrainian identity for years but could see the writing on the wall when it came to their future in the country.
Their story echoes that of Maria Schroeder, who co-founded The Schroeder Foundation alongside her husband Walter. Maria fled the Soviet Union during a period marked by severe persecution of the Mennonite people. After the Second World War, Maria, her mother, and her sisters found themselves living in Leipzig, Germany, where they faced the real threat of deportation to Siberia by Soviet authorities. Fearing for their lives, Maria and her family made the bold decision to escape. Eventually, after an arduous journey that included crossing Russian lines to access West Germany, the family made their way to Canada.
Years later, when Maria was attending Daniel McIntyre Collegiate Institute (DMCI) in Winnipeg, she was asked by her mother to take a year off and work to support the family. DMCI’s principal at the time, Dr. Ewart Horace Morgan, came to the family home and offered them cash so that Maria could attend school. Maria went back to school, earned top marks, and eventually attended university. Walter and Maria drew on this moving story of generosity when they established The Schroeder Foundation, which aims to remove barriers to education for underserved youth. Siblings Evgeniia and Vladimir are themselves graduates of DMCI.
“Dr. Morgan believed in the power of education and its ability to transform lives,” said Maria Schroeder. “Walter and I want to send that same message to students – you deserve this, we believe in you, now here are the tools to reach your full potential.”
“Helping young people like Evgeniia and Vladimir is at the heart of The Schroeder Foundation’s work,” said Walter Schroeder. “They have already faced so much adversity. We are blessed to be able to help remove any additional barriers.”
Evgeniia will begin her studies at VFS this year. Vladimir is excelling at the University of Manitoba and is on track to graduate in 2027 with his degree in Biochemistry.
“Thanks to the Schroeders, we feel like we have a place here in Canada. We feel that someone is behind us,” said Evgeniia. “We will carry this generosity in our hearts and pay it forward to our fellow Canadians.”
