Nina Ivchenko

“She is the heart of our family. A fair, honest, intelligent, loving mother and grandmother,” her daughter Alla says warmly about Nina Ivchenko.ька Алла.

Nina Ivanivna is 80 years old. She was born into a large family in the village of Gryshyne, in the Donetsk region. She was the youngest of six children. Life was difficult in those tough post-war years. There was a shortage of food and clothes, so the younger children often wore hand-me-downs from the older ones. From an early age, she got used to hard work.

As soon as she turned 18, she started working on a farm. There was no other choice; she needed to earn money for food.

In 1965, she got married and moved to the village of Serhiyivka, where she worked milking cows and later taking care of calves. She was highly respected by her colleagues. Her name was proudly displayed on the honor board as a sign of recognition for her hard work and persistence.

She gave birth to a daughter and a son. Now, Nina Ivanivna has two grandsons and one little great-granddaughter.

After the loss of her husband, her health began to decline, and doctors later diagnosed her with diabetes. She had to leave the heavy physical labor behind, but she couldn’t sit idle. She continued to care for her household, grew vegetables and flowers, and helped those in need. She cared not only for herself but also for others.

Her daughter recalls that her mother never allowed herself to rest, never even went on trips. This, perhaps, affected her health, and eventually, she suffered a stroke. Her children took care of her for a long time, helping her recover, and she started to feel a little better.

When the war began, the family decided without hesitation to leave their home to protect Nina Ivanivna from stress and danger. Today, Nina Ivanivna lives in the Shelter, where she receives the necessary care. She has found peace here, made new friends, and feels the warmth of human kindness. Her family is truly grateful to all the staff for their care and support.

“My mom really likes it here! I’m grateful to all the staff at the Shelter for their excellent care and attitude towards elderly people,” says Nina Ivchenko’s daughter.