Lyudmila Kandalova

“I was here as if under God’s protection. I enjoyed life in the shelter. The staff was always attentive, helped with everything, and offered support. It was safe and cozy here. Thank you for everything!”

Loving life and cherishing loved ones is the credo of 75-year-old Lyudmyla Kandalova. She is from the city of Pokrovsk in the Donetsk region.

Lyudmyla Stepanivna was one of the first to settle in the shelter. The full-scale invasion found her in the city of Novohrodivka, where she had lived for a long time. Constant shelling and fear for her life forced her to leave everything behind in search of a roof over her head.

After graduating from the Donetsk Technological College, Mrs. Lyudmyla worked as a goods expert in her hometown. She says this job was close to her heart—it allowed her to keep moving, meet interesting people, and always move forward.

Mrs. Lyudmyla holds family values in high regard, believing they are the foundation of a happy and harmonious life. She and her husband lived soul to soul. When he passed away, it was very hard for her, but the warm memories of him stay with her to this day.

She confesses that the happiest moment of her life was the birth of her daughter. Now her daughter is 52 years old and works as a doctor in Pokrovsk. Lyudmyla Stepanivna is very proud of her and happy that through the years, they have managed to maintain a trusting relationship.

Recently, her daughter took her to live with her, as it’s hard to be apart in such a difficult time for everyone.

Lyudmyla Kandalova speaks with great gratitude about the shelter staff. She thanks them for their care and support, as she came to the shelter after suffering a stroke. Due to the stress she had experienced, she developed anxiety, feelings of unease, and fear for her loved ones. A psychologist from Caritas worked with her, and a social worker helped her regain the motor skills of her hand, which was affected by the stroke.