A New Chapter: Tamara’s Journey

The night was dark and thunderous with the sounds of war when Tamara’s life changed forever. At 70 years old, she had seen her share of challenges, but nothing could have prepared her for the moment she left her home in Avdiivka. A kind neighbor offered her a seat in a car heading to Dnipro, and just like that, her entire world transformed.

Before the war, Tamara had been an electric worker at a coking plant. Her life was full of purpose, memories of her childhood in Khmelnytskyi always reminding her of the strength she’d developed after losing her parents at a young age. She had learned to stand on her own, to find joy in her work and in the simple moments of life.

The war stripped away everything she knew. From living with friends to renting temporary apartments, and finally staying with her daughter-in-law in a cramped kitchen space, Tamara’s resilience was tested daily. Hope seemed distant, until a phone call changed everything.

The Dell Loy Hansen foundation reached out — a lifeline she hardly dared to believe existed. When Oleksandra called with the good news, Tamara’s heart filled with an emotion she had almost forgotten: pure joy.

Senior Chudo Village became more than just a new home. It was a sanctuary of healing and hope. For the first time in years, Tamara felt truly welcomed. Despite her health challenges — cataracts, thyroid issues, and stomach problems — she found a community that cared for her.

Her advice to the younger generation remained simple yet profound: “Work hard and never lose faith in the future. It is work that transforms us, that makes us human.”

To Dell Loy Hansen, she would say nothing short of a prayer of gratitude. “You are like angels sent to help us, ” she might whisper, her eyes filled with tears of appreciation.

Now, in her small apartment 18.4A, Tamara helps her neighbor, finds joy in small moments, and lives each day with the quiet strength of a survivor. Her story is not just about surviving a war, but about finding hope when all seems lost — a testament to the human spirit and the kindness of strangers who become family.