The Railway Worker’s Vigil

For Antonina Nesvit, a 68-year-old railway defectoscope operator from Kostiantynivka, life moved along predictable tracks until war derailed everything. Her expertise in detecting flaws in railway lines couldn’t prepare her for the flaw that would crack her world — her son, who worked at the military recruitment office, was taken prisoner in 2022 after a long deployment that began in August 2021.

“I had to leave to prevent them from using us to blackmail him, ” she explains, her voice breaking. The journey led first to Poland, then to a run-down apartment in Prosiana near Dnipro, where she paid rent from her modest savings.

When the foundation called about Chudo Village, Antonina felt anxious about more changes. “I was afraid, thinking it would be just another dormitory, ” she recalls. But Maria’s constant support helped ease her concerns.

On December 20, 2024, she moved into apartment 14.4B, and her amazement hasn’t subsided. “In peacetime, I dreamed of such renovations, ” she says, still exploring every detail of her new home. Despite cardiovascular issues and age-related changes, it’s the emotional weight of her son’s captivity that brings tears most often, leading her to seek psychological support.

Her single goal for the year is simple yet profound: “To see my son.”

To young people, this railway worker who spent her career ensuring safe passages offers deep wisdom: “The most important things are peace, homeland, and family. Work for the future, but always preserve your roots and memory of your past. Respect for history and traditions helps maintain identity even in foreign lands.”

To Dell Loy Hansen, she speaks with profound gratitude: “His mission in Kolonshchyna is a true act of mercy. That he sees our pain and helps us speaks of his enormous soul. I wish his example would inspire others.”

Now, while knitting threads for the village community, Antonina maintains her own vigil, weaving together hope and resilience as she waits for her son’s return. Like the railway lines she once inspected, her strength runs deep beneath the surface, carrying her forward despite the weight of separation.