A Couple’s Journey to Healing
Olha and Volodymyr Barabanyuk, a couple aged 68 and 69, had built a life together in the village of Burhunka, Beryslav district, Kherson oblast. Originally from Zhytomyr, they had received a house for displaced persons in 1977 and had become successful entrepreneurs, cultivating 4 hectares of vineyards and managing their own farm.
But in September 2023, their world was shattered when an aerial bomb struck their home. Volodymyr, who had been in the yard, suffered severe injuries, losing his foot in the blast. Olha, who had been tending to the grapes, watched helplessly as their house was reduced to rubble.
With no choice but to seek medical treatment, the couple fled to Zaporizhzhia, where Volodymyr spent a year “lying” in the hospital. Olha, desperate for assistance, filled out an application for aid while her husband underwent treatment.
Before finding refuge in Senior Chudo Village, Olha rented an apartment while Volodymyr recovered in the hospital. Though the accommodations were comfortable, the financial strain was immense. To ease the burden, they eventually moved in with Olha’s sister in Zhytomyr.
When the call came from the foundation, bearing the joyous news of their acceptance, Olha and Volodymyr were overjoyed. They had always believed that they would be granted this opportunity, and on December 13th, they began preparing for their move.
As they settled into apartment 9.1 on December 17, 2024, the couple marveled at the warmth and comfort of their new home. The incredible staff and the cozy atmosphere made them feel truly at ease, and when a lock broke, it was repaired immediately, a testament to the efficiency and care of the village.
Despite the challenges they faced, including Olha’s age-related changes, diabetes, heart attack, angina, and stenting, and Volodymyr’s second-degree disability and difficulty walking due to his amputated foot, the couple found solace in their new community.
Their plans for the future were simple yet profound—to live to see the next year and to be reunited with their children. And when asked what advice they would give to the younger generation, Olha’s words were filled with wisdom and resilience. She urged them to learn to love life, even if they had to start anew after loss, to find joy in the small things, and to never fear tears, for they were not a sign of weakness, but a way to release pain.
As they reflected on the mission of Dell Loy Hansen, Olha and Volodymyr expressed their deep gratitude for the foundation’s social projects, particularly the housing program for displaced persons. They saw in this gesture of kindness a testament to the organization’s care for the people, and they vowed to always remember the support they had received.
For elderly displaced persons like themselves, the couple knew that the greatest challenge was the cost of housing. They hoped that more assistance could be provided to alleviate this burden.
In Senior Chudo Village, Olha and Volodymyr had found a sanctuary that met their every need, though they wished for the presence of a family doctor. Despite their own struggles, they found purpose in contributing to the community, with Olha working in the greenhouse.
In the autumn of their lives, Olha and Volodymyr Barabanyuk had discovered a haven in Senior Chudo Village, a place where they could heal, surrounded by the love and support of a community that had become their family.