From Gardens to Rainbows: A Story of Survival

Lidiya and Oleksandr had built a peaceful retirement in their modest home. Their days revolved around tending their garden, preserving food for winter, and quietly enjoying the life they had created together. They had everything they needed.

Then came January 29, 2023. A shell hit their home while they were inside. By some miracle, they survived, but Oleksandr was injured by debris. In the darkness, without water, they watched their home burn completely. The next day, covered in soot, they left with only what they could carry, their son driving them to Kryvyi Rih.

Their temporary housing matched its low price: no water, forcing them to bathe using cups. Lidiya’s heart condition worsened with the stress. Twice they applied for assistance, the first application lost in bureaucracy.

When the call finally came, they were walking back from the garage. The voice on the phone invited them to move to the settlement. Overwhelmed, Lidiya could hardly believe that after so much loss, something good could happen.

As they traveled to their new home, the weather mirrored their journey—snow, rain, and heavy downpours. But when they arrived, the rain stopped, the sun emerged, and a rainbow appeared in the sky.

“It’s like a fairy tale, ” Lidiya said of the settlement. The timing seemed meant to be—they moved in on December 17, just one day before her birthday. What impressed them most wasn’t the buildings but the kindness of the people. “Everyone tries to help. The treatment is wonderful.”

Despite their health challenges—Lidiya’s heart disease and Oleksandr’s age-related conditions—they’ve found peace. When asked about future plans, they admit they haven’t thought that far ahead. Perhaps after having their carefully planned future destroyed in an instant, taking life day by day is wisdom rather than uncertainty.

Their advice to the younger generation is simple: “Health is the most important thing. Take care of it. Physical strength and good health will help you overcome difficulties, even if everything else is lost.”

To Dell Loy Hansen, whose generosity made their new beginning possible, they would say: “Your support is a step toward the victory of good over evil. Your work leaves a mark not only in people’s hearts but also in Ukraine’s future.”

When asked what elderly displaced persons need most, their answer is straightforward: “Housing assistance.” And when questioned about improvements to the settlement, they insist everything is great, wishing only that “more people could get such a chance and appreciate this beauty.”

As they walk through their new community, they sometimes speak of their old garden and the life they built and lost. But increasingly, they speak of the rainbow that welcomed them home and the kindness they’ve found in this unexpected chapter.