Vladyslav Kuzmenko

He loves reciting the poetry of Taras Shevchenko, singing Ukrainian songs, and eagerly participates in evening gatherings — this describes one of the residents of our shelter.

74-year-old Vladyslav Kuzmenko is originally from Kherson. His life credo is to be in his rightful place, work with fairness, and never offend anyone. This is how Vladyslav Dmytrovych described his life journey.

He graduated from Kherson Agricultural University with a degree in “Hydrotechnical Engineering,” then worked as a foreman at PМК-138 “KhersoVamBud.” Afterward, he served in the army and worked on the Ural. He held a rank of private in a major’s position. Later, he returned to Kherson, where he worked at the university as an assistant and later as an associate professor.

For the next 25 years, Vladyslav served as the Deputy Dean of the Department of Construction and Hydraulic Engineering, and later spent some time as the head of the university’s academic department.

“They treat me well. The girls who work here are wonderful. I thank Mrs. Ivanna for her care and attention to each resident of the shelter. I feel safe here, they take care of me and look after me. I am sincerely grateful to everyone involved in this shelter.”

At 70 years old, Mr. Vladyslav retired by his own choice after contracting COVID-19 and suffering from its severe effects.

Together with his wife, Mr. Vladyslav raised two children. His daughter is a PhD, graduated from a military department, and now works as a military psychologist in Kherson. His son followed in his mother’s footsteps, graduated from a maritime college, and worked on the same ship as she did. Since the war began, he has been working for one of the charitable organizations in his hometown. Unfortunately, ten years ago, his wife’s heart stopped, but Mr. Vladyslav still remembers her with warmth and affection, grateful for the wonderful children and their happy family life.

When the war began, it was the head of the district council who helped Mr. Vladyslav reach the shelter. She brought him to the Kherson bus station, from where he traveled by train to Odessa. There, volunteers met him and sent him by train to Ivano-Frankivsk, and from there, he reached Voynyliv.

At the shelter, Mr. Vladyslav is the life of the party. He loves to chat and play preference, a pastime he has enjoyed since his student years. Mr. Vladyslav is very grateful to Caritas for giving him a roof over his head, as it is dangerous in his native Kherson. The city still faces constant shelling, and every day, people are fighting for their lives.