Shelter for Ukrainians who have lost their homes

Dear friends,

Our heartfelt gratitude goes out to you for being there for us and supporting us.

Every day russia cynically destroys entire towns, villages and homes of Ukrainians. People have no choice but to leave their homes to save their lives. They need shelter, safety, warmth and support.

Today we want to share with you the story of a family from our Shelter "Your Support".

In November, the number of residents in our Shelter increased – another family arrived.

Liubov was caught by a full-scale invasion at her home, in the village of Prydniprovske, 4 km off the occupied Enerhodar. At first she could not even understand what was happening, but the rockets in the sky left no doubt that russia was attacking.

Nevertheless, the family decided to stay at home for the time being.

The family is large: they have 7 children. The youngest boy is only 2 and the eldest daughter is pregnant. The shelling left no windows in their house intact, so the local authorities provided them with special foil to cover the windows.

Liubov shares with us her story: "It was quiet until about August, but one day everything changed. I was riding my bike from my mother's house when I heard the sound of Grad shelling behind me. I turned my head and saw the rockets flying. I was scared, my arms and legs were shaking and then I heard an explosion. It was good that I was close to my home. I will never forget that day".

It was her husband who suggested they go to Lviv, as it was impossible to live under constant shelling: "Younger children don't fully understand ... The older ones are scared. You don't sleep at night and you don't sleep in the morning because they keep shooting and shooting".

In November the family came to Lviv. Liubov’s parents stayed at home, even though their house had been destroyed, as did her sister with her husband and two children, and her brother with his wife and the child. Liubov's uncle signed up for voluntary military service at the beginning of the full-scale invasion. He was wounded and returned to the frontline after recovery. He has been missing in action for six months.

Right at the railway station, volunteers directed them to the Shelter “Your Support”, where the family is still staying. Liubov says it's hard to be away from home, but she likes the Shelter and the children are never bored here:

"On St Nicholas' Day they took the children and parents to St Nicholas' House. We have also visited a performance recently. The children have so many emotions: they are really relaxed, while at home everything is closed. No performances, no kindergartens, no schools. I either stay at home or run to my mum's when it's quiet. Children can’t go outside because of the constant shelling. Here they run around and are happy to go out somewhere".

"I am grateful to the Shelter for helping us and providing us with everything we need. We and the children like this place very much. It is very nice and we are treated well. Wherever we go, people smile and greet us. They take care of us.”

Every donation you make allows us to fulfill our main mission – to help people who have survived shelling, cold cellars, lack of water and food, get a safe place to recover in comfort and care.

Since February 24, 2022, as part of the "Help Ukraine! Stop War" project, the Charitable Foundation "Your Support" has been providing assistance to Ukrainian people affected by the war. This includes more than 130 medical institutions in Ukraine, 59 orphanages and more than 4,900 internally displaced people who have received temporary housing and support at our Shelter in Lviv.