Nine Decades of Resilience

At 92, Lidiia Pirozhkova has witnessed nearly a century of history. Born in Siversk, she spent most of her life in Bakhmut, where she sold trolleybus tickets until retirement. Her days had settled into a peaceful rhythm of home life, friends' visits, and simple pleasures — until war shattered that tranquility.

Seeking safety, she moved to Siversk initially, only to watch artillery shells landing in her garden. “Living in such conditions became impossible, ” she recalls. A volunteer arrived by car to evacuate her, leading to two years in Druzhkivka before she joined a friend from Kostiantynivka in seeking refuge further west.

After time in temporary shelters, volunteer help brought her application to Chudo Village. When the foundation called, Lidiia found herself speechless — at 92, she was being offered a chance at a new beginning.

On December 1, 2024, she moved into apartment 13.2A, finding a cozy space with everything she needs. Despite age-related health issues, she maintains a philosopher’s perspective: “Live so you won’t regret lost opportunities. Opportunities are what we fear while hoping for stability, but I think we should consider them all.”

To Dell Loy Hansen, this witness to nearly a century of history offers profound gratitude: “It’s a great deed to help those whom war has deprived of home. A person who does this from the heart deserves the highest respect. I’m grateful for this project, that we elderly people have received the chance to have a roof over our heads and feel safe.”

Her greatest needs now are simple but vital: medicines, care, and medical assistance. While wishing for more pharmacies and shops nearby, this former ticket seller has found her final stop — a peaceful haven where she can, in her words, “just live and value each day.”