Through the fire of war: the story of the Pidgorny family

Project: Strengthening resilience and protecting food security of internally displaced people in Eastern Ukraine.

The project is implemented in partnership with the international organization World Vision with the financial support of GIRO 555

Galina Anatolyivna is a woman with a big heart and a difficult fate. She is 58, and before the war, she lived an ordinary village life in the Mykolayiv region – worked in the rural council, and cared for the farm. Her husband, a machine operator, worked on a tractor and a combine harvester.

But with the beginning of the war, everything changed. The village where the Pidgornys lived was right on the front line. “It was hell,” recalls Mrs. Galina with tears. “Everything was on fire, exploding, bullets and shells were whistling.” In March 2022, their house was destroyed. The family was forced to flee with a little grandson in their arms. “He stopped talking, although he used to talk. He heard only explosions and gunshots,” sighs the grandmother.

But this was not the only pain. Mrs. Halyna’s husband, unable to withstand these horrors, passed away. His heart stopped from a heart attack. “He was only sixty when he died,” says the woman with tears.

Now the family has found shelter in Mykolaiv. They all live together in a small rented apartment: Mrs. Halyna, her elderly mother-in-law, her son with her daughter-in-law and a small child.

“We are infinitely grateful to the “Arms of Mercy” foundation and the “Blagodat” church for their support, says Halyna Anatoliivna. – They brought us food. For us, this is simply an invaluable help.“

We sincerely thank our partners – the international organization World Vision and GIRO 555 for the financial support of the project “Strengthening resilience and protecting food security of internally displaced people in Eastern Ukraine”. Thanks to your help, we were able to provide critically needed humanitarian aid to families affected by the war.

In the midst of this horror and devastation, Mrs. Halyna found her island of peace — faith in God. She was baptized two years ago.

And she dreams… About what? About the simplest, but most valuable thing: “I want peace to come as soon as possible.” For us to return home. For the grandson to speak again. May we all be alive and healthy.”

And even if this dream seems distant for now, the family does not give up. Little by little, they will rebuild their home, go to their home village, and plant something there. Because life, despite everything, goes on. And love and faith is what keeps us all afloat.

Each of us can become “arms of mercy” for those in need. Let’s help those as much as we can with prayer, kind words, and deeds. And let our love and unity become the force that will heal wounds and bring peace to our land.