A great sorrow befell Natalia even before the full-scale invasion when her husband drowned while fishing. She was alone to raise her son. Life would have gradually normalized, and emotional wounds would have healed if not for the morning of February 24, 2022.

In just two days, her hometown of Mirne in the Kherson oblast, once quiet, bright, and friendly, turned into a hell for its residents. Natalia struggled with the occupation, especially fearing for the life and safety of her younger son, Yehor. The cause was that Russians forced children into Russian schools and required them to obtain Russian documents.

Though evacuating from her hometown was unimaginably difficult, for the sake of her child’s future, Natalia decided to leave the occupied village. Somehow she managed to find out about the charitable foundation “Save Ukraine,” and she reached out to our chatbot. On the specified day, with great anxiety, Natalia and Yehor left their beloved Kherson region. They did it despite the pain because of leaving elderly parents and an older son with his family at home.

They arrived at the refuge in our “Hope and Healing” center in Hatne, Ukraine. Both mother and son received the necessary assistance. It included help with internally displaced persons status, humanitarian aid (food, hygiene products, clothing), and crucial psychological support from our psychologists. Life under occupation had negatively impacted their morale. Afterward, Natalia struggled greatly with the separation from her home and loved ones, and the challenging journey out of the occupation. Therefore, our psychologists prioritized helping them recover from these emotional challenges.

Thirdly, the mother and son underwent examinations in top medical institutions in the capital and received necessary medical care. Natalia underwent surgery and received help in rehabilitation. She also received support from our center’s staff who visited her, provided food, and offered financial assistance throughout.

Finally, after Natalia and her son recovered, our team found shelter in the “Moms Power” center in Lviv. Today, Natalia smiles again, believing in a better future despite the hardships fate presented, and wishes her son to continue living with love in his heart for our beloved Ukraine.