Kobzareva Family
From: Bakhmut, Donetsk region
Family member: Halyna (73)

Rising From Loss and Ruins

At the beginning of the war in February 2022, Halyna Kobzareva and her husband were living an ordinary life, with no indication of the tragedy to come. But disaster struck when her husband died from illness in September 2022, leaving her alone with her grief in wounded and partially destroyed Bakhmut.

Friends helped Halyna evacuate to Huliai Pole village in Dnipropetrovsk region. She later relocated to a modular town in Irpin, Kyiv region. “Along my life’s journey over these two years, when I was left without a roof over my head and without loved ones, I met good, kind-hearted people,” Halyna recalls. These caring individuals helped her relocate to Miracle Village in January 2024, where she was provided with a miniature studio apartment, very comfortable and equipped with everything necessary for living.

Her home in Bakhmut was destroyed during the fierce battle for the city, leaving nothing for her to return to.

“My life in Miracle Village has changed dramatically,” Halyna shares. “My well-being has improved thanks to the care and support from volunteers, psychologists, and participation in various activities. All of this has a positive effect. The forest near the village, communion with nature, and walks also positively influence my physical and mental state. A very big thank you for everything.”

Finding purpose in her new community, Halyna volunteers with the group supporting the Ukrainian Armed Forces. After losing both her husband and home during the war, she has found not only safety but also healing and community that have helped her rebuild her life amid tremendous loss.