A Family’s Second Chance (00)
Olena, Yuriy, and Olha Bondarevsky sat around the kitchen table in their new home, apartment 3.2 of Senior Chudo Village. As they sipped their tea, their minds drifted back to the life they had left behind in the industrial city of Popasna, Luhansk Oblast.
For years, the family had built a life together in the city they loved, with Olena working as a technologist in a sewing workshop, Yuriy as a driver, and Olha, Yuriy’s sister, at a garment factory. They had found joy in the simple things, like tending to their garden and growing fruits and vegetables. Olena had dreamed of a peaceful retirement, filled with rest and relaxation.
But on March 17, 2022, their world was shattered. As the conflict escalated and the shelling intensified, the family knew they had to flee. With only the clothes on their backs, they set out on a harrowing journey to Bakhmut, their home surrounded by craters left by rocket explosions.
The road was treacherous, and the family went nearly two days without sleep, their hearts heavy with fear and exhaustion. When they finally reached Lviv, they found themselves in a cramped dormitory at an art school, far from the comfort they had once known.
As they moved from one primitive dwelling to another, unable to afford better accommodations, the family’s spirits began to wane. But when they heard about the conditions being created at Senior Chudo Village, a glimmer of hope appeared. They yearned to be among people like themselves—pensioners, individuals with disabilities, and those unable to work.
When the call came from the foundation, bearing the incredible news of their acceptance, the family wept with joy and disbelief. It was a new chapter in their lives, a weight lifted from their shoulders.
As they stepped into their new home on December 18, 2024, the Bondarevskys were overwhelmed with gratitude and amazement. The sight of the small garden nearly brought them to their knees, a reminder of the simple joys they had once cherished.
Despite the challenges they faced—Olena’s broken leg, Yuriy’s asthma and vision problems, and Olha’s lifelong disability and heart condition—the family found solace in the care and support of their new community. They prayed for peace and wished that every elderly person could receive the same help they had been given.
As they reflected on the lessons they wished to impart to the younger generation, the Bondarevskys urged them not to fear hard work, to have patience, and to maintain faith in their country. They cautioned against the dangers of misinformation and encouraged them to trust their own eyes and believe in themselves.
When they thought of Dell Loy Hansen, the visionary behind Senior Chudo Village, the family’s hearts swelled with gratitude. They marveled at the kindness of a man who had opened his heart to help others, an example that inspired them to believe in a better future. In their eyes, Hansen had given them a second chance at a peaceful life, a gift they would never forget.
As displaced elderly individuals, the Bondarevskys knew all too well the challenges faced by their peers. They spoke of the need for housing, the trauma of constant relocation, and the lack of support from the government.
Though their own resources were limited, with Olena’s energy focused on caring for her loved ones, they hoped that one day they might be able to contribute to the village that had given them so much. And as they sat in their new home, surrounded by the love and support of their newfound family, the Bondarevskys knew that they had finally found a haven, a place where they could spend their twilight years in peace and dignity.