She found refuge in our mission — the story of Lidiia Hryhorivna from Kherson

Today, the construction of a shelter for elderly people and people with disabilities is ongoing in Dalnyk. This project of the Christian Mission “New Life” aims to create safe and reliable living conditions for those who have been left without a home or proper support, especially for those who were forced to flee their homes due to the war.

The shelter is already home to people who require constant care. One of them is Lidiia Hryhorivna, originally from Kherson.

Lidiia Hryhorivna was born in 1938. She will soon turn 90. She spent her entire working life in Kherson, where she worked at the seaport — first as a cargo clerk and later as a cargo supervisor. She worked at the port from finishing school until retiring at the age of 60.

After the start of the full-scale invasion, Lidiia Hryhorivna was forced to leave the city and move to Dofinivka in the Odesa region, where she lived for some time with distant relatives. She is a widow and raised two sons who, sadly, passed away even before the beginning of the full-scale war. She has no close relatives left nearby.

An additional difficulty in finding housing was the presence of her pet — a three-year-old cat named Hosha.

A decisive role in her placement was played by a doctor from the local clinic, whom Lidiia Hryhorivna approached for medical help. Having learned about her difficult life situation, the doctor showed compassion and provided her with the contact phone number of the Christian Mission “New Life.” Thanks to this, she contacted the mission herself. The mission staff responded promptly and organized her relocation the very next day — together with her pet.

Today, Lidiia Hryhorivna lives in the shelter and is provided with housing, food, and the necessary care.

This story is one of many that highlight the importance of building the shelter and the urgent need to support elderly people during wartime.