Svetlana Chepurkina

Svitlana Chepurkina is 61 years old. Due to the war, she was forced to leave her hometown of Pokrovsk in Donetsk region.

In recent years, she worked as a telegrapher in energy supervision, living a regular life until the war changed her fate. In August, she evacuated to the Rivne region, where she found humanity and support.

However, what hurts her the most is the separation from her loved ones who stayed in Pokrovsk. Ms. Svitlana’s husband refused to leave, saying he would die on his land and would not abandon his homeland, despite the danger. Their 28-year-old son went to work at the railway in the Dnipropetrovsk region. Her sister also remained in Pokrovsk. Every call from them brings her relief, but the anxiety about their safety never leaves her.

With warmth, Ms. Svitlana recalls her childhood years, when the family lived in the picturesque village of Synevyr in Zakarpattia. Her father had been assigned there for work. This region forever remained in her heart.

The war has been a difficult trial for the woman: the loss of her home, separation from loved ones, and an uncertain future. But in the Voynyliv shelter, she found not only housing but also moral, social, and medical support. She was impressed by the high level of medical services and, most importantly, the humane attitude of the staff, their compassion and understanding. According to her, this has significantly improved her emotional state.

Світлана часто думає про майбутнє. Житло у Покровську майже зруйноване, тому жінка планує залишатися тут на Івано-Франківщині. Та для повного щастя їй бракує рідних поруч. Вона сподівається, що після війни вони возз’єднаються і разом будуватимуть нове мирне життя. Попри всі випробування, у її серці назавжди залишиться любов до рідного дому, який вона змушена була покинути.