Five boys, six girls, and their mother, Liliya — a big, close-knit family from Khersonska Oblast.
“I have 11 children, my eldest son is 33 years old, and the youngest daughter is still a schoolgirl. Did I plan to have so many children? Definitely not. But I have never regretted my decision to give birth,” Liliya shares.
Liliya became a widow seven years ago. She says that raising the children alone has never been difficult for her because she was accustomed to working in the fields and supporting her family on her own. However, when the full-scale war began, everything changed for her family.
“It became too dangerous for us to stay in our home village. I gathered the children, we took our dog, and we set off with just 200 hryvnias in my pocket,” recalls the mother of many.
The family found refuge in Ternopilska Oblast, where Liliya and her children lived for 10 months.
“We were doing well there, but when the children heard that our Bilozerska community had been liberated, they started begging, ‘Let’s go home.’ We returned. Luckily, our house was still standing, but everything I had worked so hard to acquire over the years had been completely looted,” Liliya admits with tears in her eyes.
Thanks to the Provision of Lifesaving Winterization, NFI, and Shelter Support to Conflict Affected Populations in Ukraine project, implemented by the Charity Foundation “Stabilization Support Services” in cooperation with the international humanitarian organization CARE.Ukraine and CARE Österreich, with support from NACHBAR IN NOT, Liliya and her children recently received individual non-food item kits. Each kit included a mattress, sleeping bag, thermal blanket, power bank, flashlight, and thermos.
“I cried sincerely when we were given this aid because it is invaluable under the current circumstances. I cannot work right now, and our entire family’s income consists of 3,500 hryvnias of state assistance per month. My 15-year-old son has autism, so part of this money goes to his medication. In such difficult conditions, receiving these essential items from your foundation is simply a blessing. The children are overjoyed with the kits, especially the thermoses, because now we can enjoy hot tea whenever we want,” Liliya says with gratitude.
Liliya is firmly convinced that life will improve. She says the most important thing is that they are home and not left alone with their troubles.
“My greatest dream is to see my children grow up in a peaceful country where they are not constantly in danger. Every day, we are thankful for having a roof over our heads and the support of such wonderful organizations. These kits are not just items; they are a symbol of hope and faith that we are not alone,” Liliya adds with a smile, embracing her children.