Haltseva Family
From: Toretsk, Donetsk region
Family member: Klavdiia (75)

Finding a “Chocolate-Honey Paradise”

When the war began on February 24, 2022, Klavdiia Haltseva was living in Toretsk, already retired due to her age. She evacuated in 2023 to a refugee shelter in Myrhorod. “At 75 years old, I was left without housing,” Klavdiia shares. “It’s very difficult to endure all this, but I was fortunate. People helped me complete an application, and here I am in Kolonshchyna in Miracle Village.”

Her home in Toretsk was destroyed — “everything burned down,” she explains, leaving nothing for her to return to after decades of building her life there.

“I want to thank our great, wise Mr. Hansen for his big heart,” Klavdiia expresses with emotion. “I’ve settled into a 'chocolate-honey' paradise. Everything here is very good, everything is made for elderly people, everything is comfortable, everything is thought through. The attitude toward residents is very friendly. Everyone is amicable and polite. Our Sasha is very sincere and takes care of us — well done!”

Finding purpose in her new community, Klavdiia volunteers with the group supporting the Ukrainian Armed Forces. After losing everything at such an advanced age, she has found not only appropriate housing but also purpose and community that have restored her dignity and hope for her remaining years.