Valentyna's story - IDP family in Mykolaiv, South Ukraine  

Photo Caption:

Valentyna, 33 years old with her 4 year old daughter, Tetyana, in an IDP centre in Mykolaiv.

Valentyna, 33 years-old, is from Vysoke village, Kherson region. Mid Octobre 2023, she left with her 5 children, age ranging between 6 months and 17 years old. They are hosted in an IDP center in Mykolaiv since 28 November 2023.

“I was born in Vysoke, in the Kherson region, Beryslav district. Our village used to a very beautiful place. People mostly lived of land there and were supportive to each other. The village was picturesque, but now it is gray and sad. Before the war, we didn’t fully appreciate our life but now we realize that we had a good life”, Valentyna explained.

“Before the war there was a school and a kindergarten, we spent most of our time with our children on playgrounds, but now there are only ruins. Almost everything was destroyed.” She added.

The beginning of the full-scale invasion was a shock for the family: “It was very scary when the military vehicles entered the village, when explosions started. The children started to worry, they didn't understand what was happening. And you have to explain to a child that there is war, but you yourself cannot understand what is going on.”

The family left the village Mid-October 2023, after an attack close by their house.
“On the day of the rocket threat, my children were in the house and when we heard explosions near our house, I went out to see what was happening and houses were burning on the neighboring street, and then I ran into the house to take the children from the children's room. As soon as I took them to the second room, the windows were shattered from the explosion, the children started screaming, I hugged them all and waited for everything to calm down, then we left the house and went to my mother's house, my brother came and took us to a safe place. It was scary when the glass was flying, I was afraid that the children would get hurt by the shards of glass, at that moment, apparently, an angel was next to us and protected us from this.”

In the IDP center where the family is hosted, the family lives of the IDP allowance and they receive support from various humanitarian organizations, including psychological support. Her children study online and can interact with other children from Kherson region. Different activities are also organized for them.

“Although the children now understand that they are safe, when they hear explosions they still get scared and very nervous. “, Valentyna shared.

“We would like to go back home. My son was asking yesterday, when we will go home. I try to explain that we are not far from home, but now there is simply no possibility. It is dangerous to live there. Of course, I miss my native home and my mother, we should all be together”, Valentyna shared.

Valentyna is worried about her mother, who stayed in the village: “Of course, she can't leave her chickens. I am trying to convince her, since we left, before it became so dangerous. She says home is better. She will be 60 soon. Everyone wants to be at home, no matter what is happening, it is better at home. But in the village, a lot of mothers with children, large families, left”.