Natalia Boyko: Finding Purpose After Displacement
Name: Natalia Boyko
Age: 62
Hometown: Kalynivka Village, Bakhmut District, Donetsk Region

Before the war, Natalia was deeply involved in her community — working at the school and local council, active in the village cultural center. Her life was full of purpose and connection. When the conflict began, everything changed. The constant bombardments and military noise made her village unrecognizable and unbearable.

In April 2022, she left Kalynivka, finding temporary refuge in the Ternopil region. By August, she applied to the Miracle Village project and arrived in October, her home in Kalynivka completely destroyed.

The Miracle Village became more than just a new home. Professional support from psychologists and medical staff helped her recover from the trauma of displacement. As a leader of the Education and Events volunteer group, Natalia found a new way to contribute and rebuild her sense of community.

Her gratitude to Mr. Hansen and the village administration is profound — they didn’t just provide housing, but offered her a path to healing and renewed purpose.