Margarita Pukhovich would like to say thank you.
Pukhovich was featured in a TempoWoman story last fall that profiled new immigrants to the United States. A native of the Soviet Union, she came to Chicago in August 1989 with her husband and their two daughters.
Life has been pretty barren for the young family adjusting to a new culture and a new language. In the Soviet Union Pukhovich had earned a degree to teach music, but because she is Jewish she was barred from doing so and worked instead as an accompanist. She lamented that she had no piano and hadn`t practiced for so long that she feared she never would be able to play again.
As a result of the story, Pukhovich received invitations to practice at homes with pianos. But the most exciting news came recently when she received a call telling her a piano would be delivered.
Judi Silverman, a volunteer for the Jewish Vocational Service who has been working with the family, says, ”She played some classical pieces beautifully from memory. The piano seems to be new, and the (anonymous) donor even paid to have it delivered to the 3rd floor apartment.”
Says Pukhovich: ”I wished for a piano…I`m very happy.”