From Geese to Grief: A Municipal Leader’s Journey

Maria Moskalenko, 73, once managed both a municipal enterprise and a thriving farmstead in Urozhaine village, Kherson region. Her world was measured in simple abundance: geese and chickens in the yard, fruit trees in the orchard, vegetables in the garden. “The land always gives back, ” she says of her post-retirement life, her administrative skills turning to nurturing growth from soil.

War shattered this careful stewardship in the cruelest way, taking her husband in a bombardment. They had applied to Chudo Village together, planning their future escape, but after the second bombing claimed his life, she hesitated to continue the application. “I wasn’t sure whether to proceed with the documents, ” she recalls, “but I decided to try.”

From Kherson region, she traveled to Volyn, returning to her roots as she sought safety with acquaintances. The dormitory in Manevychi and temporary rural housing that followed couldn’t replace what she’d lost — not just a home, but a life partner.

On December 17, 2024, Maria moved into apartment 9.3B at Senior Chudo Village. Despite battling hypertension and diabetes, and needing psychological support to process her trauma, she’s found a measure of peace. “When I arrived here, I understood it was a chance for a new life. There’s everything necessary, and most importantly — a sense of security.”

Her advice to young people emerges from deep loss: “The most important things in life are faith, respect for others, and the ability to be kind, even when everything around seems hostile.”

To Dell Loy Hansen, she hopes for increased support for the Armed Forces while expressing gratitude: “He doesn’t just provide help, he changes the lives of people in difficult situations. His support lets people like me feel we’re not alone with our grief.”

Now, while finding the beds a bit narrow, this former municipal leader who once managed a village’s services has found not just shelter, but a community that understands the particular needs of elderly displaced persons who’ve suffered profound losses. Though full-time work is beyond her now, she stands ready to help where she can, drawing on the same spirit that once helped her community thrive.