A Twilight Sanctuary

Viktor Mochalin, a 73-year-old zootechnician, sat on the edge of his bed in apartment 20.2A of Senior Chudo Village, his weathered hands folded in his lap. As he gazed out the window at the tranquil surroundings, his mind drifted back to the life he had left behind in the village of Menkivka, Bakhmut district.For 36 years, Viktor had called Menkivka home, tending to his domestic duties and immersing himself in the endless work that came with maintaining a household. But when the war came knocking on his doorstep, everything changed.As the Ukrainian Armed Forces entered the village and sought refuge in Viktor’s home, he knew that the time had come to flee. With the guidance of the military and the support of his son, who sent a car to take him to safety, Viktor embarked on a journey that would lead him to the modular town of Brovary.But life in Brovary was far from the sanctuary Viktor had hoped for. Surrounded by filth and a diverse array of people, he found himself longing for a place to call home, a haven where he could find peace in his twilight years.It was then that fate intervened in the form of the Hansen Ukrainian Mission. When Viktor received the call informing him of his acceptance into Senior Chudo Village, he could hardly believe his own good fortune. With a heart full of gratitude, he packed his meager belongings and set out for apartment 20.2A, a place that would soon become his sanctuary.As Viktor settled into his new home, he marveled at the tranquility that surrounded him. The staff, with their kind smiles and gentle demeanors, made him feel welcome and cherished. Despite the challenges he faced, including impaired vision, joint issues, partial amputation of his limbs, and diabetes, Viktor found solace in the care and support of his new community.Looking back on his life, Viktor realized that the greatest lesson he had learned was the importance of cherishing those around him and extending a helping hand to those in need. He wished to impart this wisdom to the younger generation, urging them to love life and the world they inhabited.As he thought of Dell Loy Hansen, the visionary behind Senior Chudo Village, Viktor’s heart swelled with admiration. He wished Hansen health, prosperity in his business endeavors, and the respect of his family. In Viktor’s eyes, Hansen was a beacon of hope, a man who had given the gift of a home to those who had lost everything.For elderly displaced persons like himself, Viktor knew that the greatest need was for housing and financial support. With meager pensions barely enough to make ends meet, the security of a roof over their heads was a blessing beyond measure.As he sat in his new home, Viktor felt a sense of peace wash over him. Though the road that had brought him here had been marked by hardship and loss, he knew that he had found a place where he could spend his twilight years in comfort and tranquility. And for that, he would be forever grateful to the Hansen Ukrainian Mission and the kindness of strangers who had become his family.