Timekeeper’s Hope: Oleksiy’s Remarkable Journey

From the moment Oleksiy Matsenko was born, life presented him with challenges. Born with a physical disability, he learned early on that limitations were merely opportunities in disguise. His hands, once challenged, became the skilled tools of a watchmaker — precise, patient, and determined.

In Kurakhivka, a small village in Donetsk region, Oleksiy had built a life of purpose. A watchmaker by trade and later a skilled bookkeeper, he was more than just a worker — he was a beacon of hope for others with disabilities. He had organized entire workshop departments, proving that ability transcends physical constraints. His home was a sanctuary of care, where he tended to his aging parents and later supported his brother’s family with unwavering dedication.

Then came the war. One seemingly quiet night in 2022, everything changed. Rockets tore through the peaceful landscape, shattering his world. His nephew, a soldier, became his lifeline, helping him escape to Brovary. The transition was brutal — living on the sixth floor of his brother’s crowded apartment, struggling with frequent power outages, climbing stairs that felt like mountains.

“I didn’t want to burden my family, ” Oleksiy would later say, his eyes reflecting both determination and vulnerability. When the Dell Loy Hansen foundation called, he could hardly believe it. Was this real? Could hope truly exist in such dark times?

Senior Chudo Village became more than just a new home. It was a revelation. The community reminded him of the warmth he’d only experienced in church — a place of unconditional acceptance and support. His childhood dream of beekeeping, lost in the chaos of war, suddenly seemed possible again.

To the younger generation, he offers wisdom etched with life’s experiences: “Build plans, even small ones. They give life meaning. Don’t keep your feelings locked inside — speak them. Understanding and support often begin with a simple conversation.”

His gratitude to Dell Loy Hansen is profound and genuine. “I can’t believe people still help others without expecting anything in return, ” he says, his voice thick with emotion. “No one has done as much for me as you have.”

Now, in apartment 14.1A, Oleksiy continues to be a timekeeper — not just of watches, but of hope. His life proves that resilience isn’t about avoiding challenges, but about finding purpose through them. Each tick of the clock is a reminder: life moves forward, and with compassion, healing is always possible.

His dream now? To nurture a small beehive in this new community, to create something beautiful from the fragments of his past — a testament to the human spirit’s incredible capacity for renewal.