“You can’t pack your whole life into one bag. I had a beautiful house”: the story of Liudmyla, a retired woman from Pokrovsk district
Liudmyla, a 74-year-old resident of the Donetsk region, was born in Ulakly, lived in Dachne, and worked as a vegetable agronomist in a neighboring village before retiring at 55. Together with her husband, Volodymyr, they dedicated their retirement to managing a farm. They kept cattle, sheep, geese, and ducks.
For over 20 years, Liudmyla’s husband had a deep passion for raising doves, keeping them on the rooftop of their home. Five years ago, he passed away after an illness. When the explosions started in Dachne, the birds flew away.
“The house is in terrible shape now: the roof is shattered, frames and windows blown out, and when it rains, it’ll be like a sieve. At first, I thought I’d clean up a bit—started scrubbing the floor—but then I stopped, grabbed my bags, and called the volunteers to get me out,” she recounted.
On November 3, we met Liudmyla at a transit point in Pavlohrad. Tearfully, she was searching for her cat, Marusia, who had climbed up a tree in distress. Volunteers quickly organized a rescue and safely returned Marusia to her owner. Her pets, Marusia and Mishka, are the most cherished treasures saved from the ruins of her home.
“I have a kettle, a thermos, and a few clothes. I took some canned vegetables, too. You can’t pack your whole life into one bag. I had a beautiful house. I left all my new furniture and equipment behind,” the woman shared.
When Liudmyla arrived at the transit point in Pavlohrad, the East SOS team welcomed her warmly. They provided psychological support, helping her regain a sense of stability and calm after the distress of leaving her home.
“The story of Liudmyla, alongside others who have lost homes and once-stable lives to the war, reflects a remarkable resilience of spirit. Forced from her village, she endured the devastation of her home. Helping people overcome emotional distress, rediscover strength, and find new purpose in challenging times is the role of support,” said Yuliia Krat, a foundation’s psychologist.
Our team gave Liudmyla the essentials: a carrier for her pets, food, and a flashlight to help her during emergency blackouts. She is now waiting for her cousin and her husband in Pavlohrad, where they will settle together in the Dnipropetrovsk region.
“I don’t want to live with my children. I have two daughters living in Russia, although they invited me. But these demons invaded our land—how could I live there? I feel homeless in my old age,” the woman shared.
Psychological support for the affected population is being provided by the East SOS team as part of the project “Support to war-affected vulnerable groups and residents of remote areas,” funded by the European Union.
