Antonina, a 32-year-old mother of six, had a peaceful life before the war. She lived in Polonne, Zaporizhzhia, where she worked at a ceramics company and provided for her five sons and daughter. But everything changed when Russian troops occupied their town, turning their world upside down.
“We were constantly hearing explosions, and there was no power or food,” Antonina remembers. “Neighbors helped each other with what little they had, but fear was always present as the occupiers went door to door.”
With no other choice, Antonina decided to leave. She evacuated her children in two groups, walking for days through dangerous territory to find safety.
The family moved several times before finding a small house in Staryi Khutir, Poltava region, thanks to the help of friends. When they arrived, the house was almost empty, but with support from the Family to Family project by Caritas-Spes, they were able to make it a home. The project helped them renovate a summer kitchen, replace a window, and buy essential items like a refrigerator, boiler, and firewood.
“Now we have warm water, a place to store food, and everything we need to live. I’m so grateful to the Polish families who helped us,” says Antonina.
Her six children, ranging from 1 to 15 years old, are adjusting to their new life. They attend school online, sharing two laptops provided by their school. Antonina dreams of giving them more opportunities, especially since they miss their old life. “They dream of boxing, art classes, and seeing their friends again. Above all, we hope to return home and reunite with family members still in occupied areas.”
Despite the hardships, Antonina remains hopeful. “We live with the hope of victory and returning home. I believe the war will end soon, and we will have peace again.”
Related topics:
