Olena
Olena was born in Kherson. From 1983 until the start of the full-scale war, she worked as a shipbuilding designer. After the Russian occupation of Kherson, she remained in the city for another two months before finally deciding to evacuate. What followed was a series of relocations: first to western Ukraine, then to Spain and Poland, but eventually, she settled in Lviv. She jokes that she would have returned sooner, but she could not leave her grandchildren behind.
From the very first days after escaping occupation, Olena began volunteering. She actively supported the foundation where her son and niece were already working. At first, she had to help remotely, but after returning to Ukraine, she quickly immersed herself in all aspects of volunteer work.
After the war ends, Olena dreams of returning to Kherson and continuing her work as a designer. She says that the most important thing is to have the strength and health by then because, as she puts it, “I haven’t worked enough yet.” Her biggest concern is that there may be nothing left to return to, as the city is under constant shelling. Still, she believes that one day she will be able to restore her greenhouse on the balcony and live in a peaceful, safe Kherson.