During my visit with the Shelter team to villages in Ukraine’s Kyiv region, I had the opportunity to meet with the people whose communities had been de-occupied in 2022. They turned out to be extraordinarily tough individuals who had been able to rebuild their lives thanks to essential aid and support received from the Medair. These people witnessed awful incidents in which missiles and debris damaged not just their homes, but also their spirits.
Despite the cool temperatures that day, the sun shone brightly, providing warmth. The area was adorned with abundant green trees, and locals diligently tended to their gardens, gathering the harvest before the onset of harsh frosts.
“I went to work on the 24th of February, even though my daughter had called and told me to stay at home. I assumed that everything would be OK. But two days later, a missile hit our house. It was fortunate that my disabled mother and I were in the basement. My house was completely burned, and several of the windows and doors in our summer kitchen, right next to the house, were damaged. Only the outside walls remained. We didn’t know how we were going to live after that,” Valentyna explained.
Valentyna stands amidst the ruins of her former home, in a room that once echoed with the laughter and warmth of her children, where they grew up and enjoyed life. ©Medair/Diana Mukan
Valentyna and her family escaped a terrible attack. Since their house was no longer fit for habitation, they had to continue living in their summer kitchen, which is smaller and not suitable for a disabled person. Among the items they were able to preserve were a washing machine and an electric oven.
The street where Valentyna lives was once picturesque and bustling with life. But the occupation and bombardments significantly altered its state, leaving behind only ruins and damaged structures. There are currently just three families left on the entire street. Those who could, fled from the terrible events.
Valentyna stands in a room where her entire family used to gather to discuss, share amusing stories, and spend time together. ©Medair/Diana Mukan
The roof of Valentyna’s house burned down due to a rocket attack. ©Medair/Diana Mukan
“I’m very grateful to Medair for providing me with a roof,” Valentyna said, her emotions welling up. “For a long time, my dream had been to fix the roof so that I could begin reconstructing the house on my own. And that’s finally happened.”
One of the people we also visited was Dmitriy. As we approached the fence surrounding Dmitriy’s house, the distant barking of dogs could be heard. Upon entering the yard, we were greeted by his smiling face, as he played with his beloved pets. As soon as he noticed us, Dmitriy quickly approached us with a sparkle in his eyes. He was eager to share his story with me.
Dmytro stands in front of his house, which has suffered damage from debris and shock wave caused by the rocket explosion. ©Medair/Diana Mukan
Dmitriy recalls, “It was a difficult time that’s impossible to remember without getting tearful. The days when rockets flew over us will live with us forever. One fateful Sunday, a rocket passed over our house while I was outside, and the impact of the explosion knocked me right over. Fortunately, I was able to quickly hide in the basement, which saved my life. But most importantly, my wife, Tetyana, was in the summer kitchen at the time. She could have died if she had gone outdoors even just a few seconds earlier, as a rocket entered the wall right next to the entrance of the summer kitchen.”
Wheat spikes that Dmytro grows in his own field. ©Medair/Diana Mukan
Dmitriy began his career as an agronomist at a young age. Even in such difficult times, he has not given up his favourite job and continues to work. Unfortunately, however, his profession and physical condition make it nearly impossible for him to repair his home without support.“Many thanks to Medair for their great support and quick help. The roof of our house was carefully fixed, which helped a lot in restoring our living conditions. We were impressed by the professionalism of the Medair team. Our family is really grateful for the assistance provided during this challenging period. We couldn’t have done it on our own, and Medair did everything they could to assist us get back to normal life,” said Dmitriy.
Dmytro communicates with Medair’s staff member, Tymur Shaimov, an Infrastructure Officer. ©Medair/Diana Mukan
“In my line of work, I’m inspired by the unwavering resilience of the people we assist, witnessing how they overcome tremendous challenges in war-damaged homes without the means to restore them,” said Tymur Shaimov, an Infrastructure Officer.
It’s stories like these that show the impact of our efforts, and how we can better the lives of those who have been through terrible circumstances. The once-broken roof that has now been repaired has become a symbol of hope for Valentyna, Dmitriy and their families.
The roof of Dmitriy’s house has been repaired and restored by Medair. ©Medair/Diana Mukan
The roof of Valentyna’s house has been repaired and restored by Medair. ©Medair/Diana Mukan
The roof of Valentyna’s house has been repaired and restored by Medair. ©Medair/Diana Mukan
Medair services in the north- central Ukraine are funded by Swiss Solidarity (CdB).
All photos ©Medair / Diana Mukan
This content was produced with resources gathered by Medair field and headquarters staff. The views expressed here are those solely of Medair and should not be taken, in any way, to reflect the official opinion of any other organization.
