Viktor is named after his father, and he misses him terribly.
Viktor Sr left to fight for Ukraine a year and a half ago. His son, 13-year-old ‘Vitya’, and his four siblings try to help their mother, Ivanka, whenever they can. Vitya is especially keen.
“He is my pride and support,” says Ivanka. “When he comes back home from school, he does the chores and goes to work with me.” She works with seniors, and “when I do the cooking or cleaning for them, my son Viktor buys food for the grannies — and they treat him with candies or apples.”
She knows her son is trying to be strong, and will weep only at night when he’s alone. “It often happens that we cannot get in touch with [their dad] for two or three days,” she says. “[They] keep asking me why he does not phone them and is away for such a long time. My heart breaks when I hear that, because I do not know what to say.”
“Words cannot express the pain and tears of the children who are waiting for their dad to come back home from the war.”
Ivanka was deeply grateful to receive home heating assistance through Ternopil’s firewood project.
“We do the cooking in the kitchen, which is heated with firewood,” she says, “as well as two other rooms.” Through the project, they will have enough to last through Ukraine’s coldest winter months – a small balm for their longing and sorrowful hearts.
“Take our heartfelt thanks for your kindness and good will to help us in this challenging time. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for the good you have done.”