Nina Alpatova

67-year-old Nina Alpatova is eagerly awaiting her return home to the city of Novohrodivka in the Donetsk region. She had lived in Donetsk region since she was 17. It was there that she met her beloved, gave birth to three wonderful daughters, and built a life together. Her husband worked his whole life in the mine, but sadly, in 2016, Nina was left alone.

Since 2014, the Alpatov family has known firsthand what shelling, danger, and military actions are like. But they stayed together, supported each other, and all huddled together to hide from the shelling, searching for food when the city was surrounded by the enemy. Eventually, the time came when Nina had no choice but to leave due to constant shelling and the neighboring houses being almost completely destroyed.

“Caritas is the best shelter. We are very lucky to have ended up here, because we live as if under God’s protection…”

The shelter was provided to her in the village of Voynyliv. Volunteers helped her evacuate and leave the dangerous area. Now, Nyna Dmytrivna feels supported and is in a safe place, but thoughts of her family never leave her. Her children are still in their native Novohrodivka. The daughters refused to evacuate and leave their home and everything they had built through hard work over the years. Additionally, the thoughts of her grandson add to her worries—since the start of the war, he has been defending the country. He is currently stationed on the Kharkiv front, fighting alongside his comrades for the independence and bright future of our nation.

Due to constant worries, Nyna’s blood pressure rises, and she often feels unwell. She tries to distract herself from the sad thoughts by reading. And when her health allows, she also finds comfort in knitting.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to be safe, for your support during this difficult time. I don’t know what will happen next, but I understand that when my time here is over, I will return… But I am no longer afraid, I really want to go home. Thank you for giving me a place to live for now and for your support,” shares the resident of the shelter.

According to her relatives, the woman’s house is still intact for now. There is hope that the war will end, and Ms. Nyna will return to a place of peace and harmony. A place that heals and gives strength, no matter what happens in life. A place that is called home.