A Ukrainian couple looking to make Newfoundland and Labrador their permanent home is detailing the difficulties they have faced since moving to the province.

Alex Bezer and his partner, Alex Chermostsantsev, come from an Russian-occupied area of Ukraine and had already fled to The Netherlands due to persecution they faced as a same-sex couple. The had to pay for their journey to Newfoundland and Labrador out of pocket, as there is no government charter from that country.

Bezer says in this province, they have struggled with having their education recognized, finding adequate housing and the day-to-day systems.

He says its even simple things such as how the garbage system works and how Metrobus operates.

Bezer says most of the help they have received has been from 2SLGBTQIA+ organizations, for which they are thankful. Bezer says the province feels like it can be home.