Standing With Grandmother Matrona in Kherson

In the city of Kherson, life has become a daily test of endurance. Shelling, damaged homes, power outages, and constant uncertainty have forced many families to flee. Yet some residents remain—often because they have nowhere else to go, or because their homes hold the memories of a lifetime.

One of those residents is a woman the community lovingly calls Grandmother Matrona.

A Life Rooted in Home

Grandmother Matrona is elderly and frail, but her spirit is strong. Her small home in Kherson has been part of her life for decades. It holds the memories of her family, her neighbors, and the life she built long before war reached her street.

When many others evacuated, she made a difficult decision.

She would not leave her home.

For Matrona, leaving would mean abandoning everything familiar. Instead, she stays, enduring the cold winters, the uncertainty, and the dangers that come with living near the front lines.

But she is not completely alone.

A Helping Hand When It Matters Most

Through Ukrainian Children Inc., local volunteers are able to reach people like Grandmother Matrona with direct humanitarian aid.

Because of supporters and partners, our teams are able to provide:

• Food and basic supplies

• Emergency assistance for heating and shelter

• Personal visits to ensure elderly residents are safe and cared for

When aid arrived at her door, Matrona expressed deep gratitude. For someone living in such difficult circumstances, even small acts of kindness mean everything.

She thanked the people she has never met—the supporters who made the help possible.

Her words were simple but heartfelt.

She said she was grateful that someone still remembered her.

The Forgotten Elderly of Ukraine

Across cities like Kherson, thousands of elderly Ukrainians remain in damaged homes, unable or unwilling to evacuate. Many live alone, surviving on limited pensions and whatever help neighbors or volunteers can provide.

These are the people most easily forgotten during a long war.

But they should never be invisible.

At Ukrainian Children Inc., we believe that dignity and care should reach every person, no matter their age or circumstance.