Contributions for winter clothing have helped us tremendously

Three women tell their stories of how they had to leave their hometowns because of the war. They all shared a desire for a better future for their children and grandchildren. A new life in a new place is difficult and finances are still somehow scarce, so they appreciated our help in the form of a donation for warm clothes for the children.

Olena

Olena comes from the town of Bakhmut in the Donetsk region and had to move to the village of Ardanovo in the Transcarpathian region with her husband and two children because of the war. She is one of the so-called internally displaced persons. Olena recalls the beginning of their harrowing journey.

They originally lived in an apartment in a block of flats, but after the shelling in May 2022, they had to leave it and move to a house that was in a safer location. When she was in the original flat recently to have a look, all she saw was ruins, holes between the partitions, a leaky roof. “We have nowhere to go back to,” says the mother of an 18-year-old son and a 14-year-old daughter.

When a rocket landed right next to their temporary housing in February 2023 and the blast shattered the windows on the house, they had to pack up a second time. They spent the night at a neighbour’s house and left the town early the next morning with the help of Ukrainian soldiers and headed towards Transcarpathia.

We live on the IDP allowance, which amounts to approximately EUR 50 per adult and EUR 75 per child. Our son is disabled. We believe that we may receive another allowance for his care. Because of his condition, I cannot work. Fortunately, my husband has managed to find a temporary job in one of the local factories.

Olena

Olena’s family was greatly helped by vouchers for the purchase of winter clothing for children worth 65 euros per child, which she received from our organization. She bought warm slippers and clothes for them. As she says, this is a very important help for them in difficult moments.

Valentyna

Valentyna, 73, is from the Donetsk region and came to the Ardanovo shelter with her 10-year-old granddaughter Tetiana. The little girl’s mother died when she was just two years old and her father currently lives in another region. The grandmother and her granddaughter arrived in Zakarpattia by evacuation train in February 2023. Valentyna left her family home only for the safety of the little one; she would never have done it on her own.

“There wasn’t enough time to pack, we only managed to take our documents and a few pieces of clothing,” she recalls of the moment they left home. Valentyna doesn’t know what it’s like there today, because all her friends and neighbours have left too, but she would like to return to her hometown one day.

Today they live with their granddaughter in a building in the village of Ardanovo that we helped renovate and furnish as part of the Shelter program. They share a room with another family – a grandmother and a grandson. Tetiana first went to a local school, but now studies and lives in a boarding school in another district of Transcarpathia and visits her grandmother in Ardanovo during the holidays.

When Valentyna received vouchers to buy clothes, she was immediately delighted to make Tetiana happy. She talks about her beloved granddaughter with tenderness in her eyes and would give her first, last. With the voucher she bought her something warm, but also nice. After all, she always does this when any financial help comes – she spends it on her dearest person.

Ljubov

Liubov Podliesna and her 68-year-old husband, grandson and granddaughter have been in Transcarpathia almost since the beginning of the war. They come from the town of Hostomel in the Kiev region. They lived near the airport and when the first rocket attacks occurred, they had to quickly pack up and flee. Their house is badly damaged and even if in time the family wants to return home, they will have a hard time doing so.

They are currently living in the village of Vorochevo in Transcarpathia, where they rent a house paid for by their friend from Kiev. On their income, which consists of her pension of about 150 euros and her husband’s of about 85 euros, they could not afford to sublet for four. Moreover, as the region around Kiev does not fall under the IDP support programme, they receive no support. Occasionally they manage to arrange financial assistance from international funds, for which they are very grateful.

Their 10-year-old granddaughter and 14-year-old grandson go to school and are always in need of something, be it supplies or clothes. Ljubov is very touched by our help. All four of them were together to buy the necessary things and it was nice to see the smiles on their faces.

You can’t even imagine our gratitude. I will use the money for gifts for the grandchildren. Now in winter, such help is even more important.

Ljubov