Chebotar Family
From: Novoukrainka village, Donetsk region
Family members: Mykola (61) and Larysa (60)
From Rural Peace to a Second Chance
Before the war, the Chebotar family lived a peaceful life in their picturesque village of Novoukrainka. They had a private home and stable jobs at an agricultural firm. Their days were made brighter by their beloved dogs, Timka and Bob, who would eagerly greet them after work.
Then, war arrived. The front line crept closer — Vuhledar was just 15 kilometers away. On March 10, 2022, when aviation began bombing their village, they fled with only the clothes on their backs.
“It was heartbreaking to leave our dogs behind, ” shares Larysa. “My husband still feels guilty and says, 'I betrayed them.' But we ourselves didn’t know where we were going.”
They initially stayed with relatives in Dnipro, where tragedy struck once again — Mykola was diagnosed with cancer. As soon as Russian forces were pushed back from Kyiv, the couple traveled to the capital on April 10 for Mykola’s treatment, which included surgery and chemotherapy.
“It was extremely difficult financially, and we were morally depressed, ” recalls Larysa. “But as they say, the dark streak can’t last forever — a bright one must come too. And it finally arrived, THANK GOD!”
Their home in Novoukrainka was completely destroyed during the fighting, leaving them with nothing to return to.
“The bright streak in our life came when we were accepted into Senior Chudo Village after going through the selection process, ” Larysa says with emotion. “You should have seen us — jumping like children and unable to calm down. There was both joy and tears; we couldn’t believe this was happening to us. And when we moved in, Dell Loy Hansen himself showed us to this fairy-tale house. These emotions we experienced are unforgettable. We feel grateful, protected, and dignified.”
In their new community, Mykola volunteers with the fire safety group, using his skills to help protect their new home. Larysa has found employment as a contract manager and also works with questionnaires and certificates. Additionally, she volunteers with the poultry group, taking care of chickens.
“It reminds me of home, ” she says, finding comfort in familiar routines despite all they’ve lost.
