Next to him—his 13-year-old son Yevhenii, a boy with a disability, and his mother Raisa, an elderly woman with diabetes. In the trunk—three bags of belongings. Under shelling and in his own car, Viktor drove his family to safety in Irpin.

He comes from a small mining town in the Donetsk region, just a few kilometers from the front line. Living there meant facing danger every single day. But Viktor didn’t wait for disaster to strike—he took action.

He lost his wife early and has spent many years caring for his family on his own. For his seriously ill son, he became both a father and a mother.

After the evacuation, the family found shelter in the modular town at our “Hope and Healing” center. Viktor immediately began restoring their documents: he had to renew Yevhenii’s disability status and arrange treatment for his mother. Soon after, he started helping others.

He welcomed newcomers, helped them find housing, and showed them where to look for their first job. He took on any daily task that needed doing. Over time, he became an irreplaceable member of the community—building new modules, tidying up, and fixing anything that needed a skilled hand.

Last year, thanks to the “Time to Serve” grant initiative, Viktor set up his own plot in the local greenhouse and harvested his first vegetables. He was later officially appointed the town’s coordinator. Now, he’s responsible for maintaining order and helping new families adapt.

Despite all his responsibilities, Viktor finds time every day for what matters most: taking Yevhenii to rehabilitation sessions and looking after his mother’s health. We’re proud that the “Hope and Healing” center has become not just a temporary shelter for them, but a true home.

This support was made possible through a project by the Canada-Ukraine Foundation. We sincerely thank our partners for their trust. Your contribution gives families who were forced to flee their homes a chance to start over.