My name is Natalia. I have five children: Karina born 2004, Dmitro born 2007, Oleksandra born 2010, Ivanna born 2014, and Yaroslav born 2018. We lived in Western area of Vasilivskovo region, village Rosdil. Thanks to the mayor of the village Cergeyu Anatolyivichu Kalimany, the had a nick name as “Beverly Hills”. On the Yaroslav’s birthday my husband left us. He could not handle the responsibility. But that did not made me give up on my family. I bought a house and organized it to accommodate the needs of the kids.
In 2021 I become a mother-in-law and my daughter gave birth to my grandson, Matviy. We all celebrated the New Year 2022 together, the whole family. I had a job and a big vegetable garden where I loved spending time. On 24 February 2022 the War began. On 26 February the Russian military was in our village. We were forced to go in the basement and stayed there for 9 days. On the 10th day got quite and we went out to get some air. It was not long when the fire started again and we were back in the basement. It was difficult. It was very hard because we were 8 people in the basement – 5 children, me, my daughter and her husband. We slept in shifts. The Russian soldiers started going through the houses. The food was getting scarce, I have rheumatic heart, thrombosis, varicose veins and need medications. I was not able to get my medication because of the constant shelling. Being in the basement all the time was very stressful on our psyche. I have 5 children and I do not want to lose neither of them.
On May 14 our village leader/mayor told us to evacuate. We had to pack our whole life in a few suitcases. We left our home with heartache. In one moment and all was gone and you are homeless on the street. The leader of our village lead us and a few other families out of the village alive and we are very thankful for that.
When we arrived in Kamyanske, the volunteers were all over us. Everyone was helping with anything they could help with. We are very thankful to the Center of Help and Logistics “Palyanitza” and their welcoming admission.
To all volunteers helping the refugees – we bow at their selflessness and are forever thankful.