The war severely impacted Deliivka. The village experienced relentless attacks from the beginning of the conflict, leading to shortages of food and medicine, as well as breakdowns in communication. We often had to take shelter in our basement, enduring the cold and damp without firewood or water for warmth. The children, scared and exposed to the cold, started getting sick with high fevers. Unfortunately, we had no access to medical care or medicines. Our situation worsened when our house was destroyed in a shelling, forcing us to flee” — this is the brief story of 78-year-old Valentina Sergiivna Ryzhkova, who is caring for her five grandchildren.

The family was evacuated by the military to Kostiantynivka, where Valentina learned about Save Ukraine. Our team from the Donetsk hub helped them reach Kyiv. On March 20, 2023, the grandmother and her grandchildren arrived at our “Hope and Healing” center, where they received vital psychological and humanitarian support.

In just a few days, the children started sleeping better. Art therapy sessions helped bring joy back into their lives. The children made new friends, while Valentina found some peace. However, her age began to show, as she struggled with leg pain, making it hard for her to climb stairs. To address this, the family was offered a modular house in Dnipro as part of our FortHome project.

In July, volunteers helped the family move into their new home. They assisted with important tasks like enrolling the children in schools and arranging financial aid. The eldest grandson, Oleksiy, is studying to become an auto mechanic and has secured an internship through the church’s help. He is also working towards getting his driver’s license.

Nadia, the only granddaughter, and her younger brothers, Roman, Sashko, and Vitaliy, are attending school and regularly participate in activities at the church’s center. They enjoy English classes and Bible lessons and help clean the church grounds. The family attends church services every Sunday, a time when Valentina feels especially at peace. She is determined to keep living and caring for her grandchildren, as they all hold onto the hope of peace returning to Ukraine.