Larysa (66) and Oleksandr (66) Lysak had built their entire life in Vozdvyzhenska, a small village in the Pokrovsk district. He, an engineer, and she, a pig farm manager, had spent decades nurturing their home, their garden, and their simple, meaningful existence.

War shattered their carefully constructed world. Drones, shells, and constant fear transformed their peaceful rural life. When a shell destroyed their tractor, leaving everything in fragments, their daughter in Kyiv insisted they leave. Reluctant to abandon their lifelong home, they finally understood the gravity of their situation.

Displaced first to their daughter’s temporary housing and then to a modular town in Makariv, they experienced the uncertainty that comes with forced relocation. Despite comfortable conditions, the constant fear of being displaced again weighed heavily on them.

On December 16, 2024, they found stability in Senior Chudo Village’s apartment 11.2. More than just a home, it represented a new chapter of hope and possibility.

Their wisdom for younger generations is profound: “Cherish peace in your life. Only when you lose peace do you understand its importance. Nurture calm around you. Protect your homeland—not just with words, but with actions.”

To Dell Loy Hansen, they offer heartfelt gratitude: “Your good deeds remind us that humanity is the highest value. May your life be filled with joy and the gratitude of those you’ve helped.”

Their greatest goal now is simple—to be useful, to contribute, and to find meaning in their new community.