Karavaiev Family
From: Popasna, Luhansk region
Family members: Valentyna (66, daughter), Raisa (85, mother), and Volodymyr (87, father)

Three Generations Finding Safety After Total Destruction

From the beginning of the war in 2022, fear for loved ones never left Valentyna Karavaiev for a moment. The family lived without water, electricity, and food, but most terrifying were the constant bombardments of their town. “We didn’t think we would survive, let alone live in such good conditions,” Valentyna reflects, looking back on their desperate situation in Popasna.

Not only was their home destroyed, but the entire city of Popasna was reduced to ruins during what became some of the most intense fighting in Luhansk region.

“This is truly a Miracle,” Valentyna shares about their new home. “It’s quiet and peaceful here; nothing reminds us of the war and those terrible days we experienced in Popasna. In the village, it’s not just quiet — it feels like home. Everything is good. God grant us to live in such a Paradise.”

Finding purpose in her new community, Valentyna volunteers with the landscaping group, helping to maintain the beauty of their new surroundings. After surviving bombardment and witnessing the complete destruction of their hometown, three generations of the family have found not only safety but also peace and dignity in their new community — a particular blessing for the elderly parents who can now live out their final years in safety rather than under bombardment.