Ludmyla Voykova’s Story
Name: Ludmyla Voykova
Age: 67
Hometown: Toretsk, Donetsk Region, Ukraine

The war came to Ludmyla’s doorstep like an unwelcome storm, uprooting her from the life she had known for decades. In August 2022, as the conflict in eastern Ukraine intensified, Ludmyla was forced to leave her home in Toretsk, a city that had become a frontline in the devastating Russian invasion.

Her first refuge was a modular town in Brovary, a temporary shelter that provided safety but little comfort. At 67, Ludmyla had seen her share of challenges, but nothing could have prepared her for the sudden displacement from her beloved home. The walls that had held her memories were now reduced to rubble, another casualty of a war that seemed endless.

Hope arrived on October 20, 2023, when the D.L. Hansen charitable foundation offered her a new beginning. “Miracle Village” was more than just a new address — it was a lifeline. The community was carefully designed to support displaced individuals like Ludmyla, offering not just a roof over her head, but a semblance of normalcy she had thought was lost forever.

Life in Miracle Village quickly transformed Ludmyla’s perspective. The town was a carefully planned sanctuary, complete with a cafeteria that meant she no longer had to worry about preparing meals. Medical services and psychological support were readily available, addressing both her physical and emotional needs. Transportation was provided, allowing her to explore and reconnect with the world beyond her immediate surroundings.

The simple joys returned to her life — excursions, concerts, and a sense of community. For the first time since the war began, Ludmyla felt something she had almost forgotten: peace. The comfort of having everything she needed, the ability to go on outings, and the knowledge that she was safe became her new normal.

At 67, Ludmyla’s story is a testament to resilience. She had lost her home, her familiar surroundings, but not her spirit. Miracle Village became more than just a place to live — it became a symbol of hope, of survival, of the ability to rebuild even when everything seems lost.

Her journey reflects the experiences of thousands of displaced Ukrainians — people who have been forced from their homes by conflict, yet continue to find strength, community, and hope in the most challenging of circumstances.