Some families have had to start over once. The Makieievas have done it twice.
Originally from the Luhansk region, Marina Makieieva and her family were first displaced in 2014, when Russia’s invasion and occupation of eastern Ukraine forced them to flee their home in Stanytsia Luhanska. Pregnant at the time, Marina relocated with her husband and elderly mother to a nearby city, where they hoped to rebuild their lives.
For eight years, they did just that. But in 2022, Russia launched a full-scale invasion, and their city once again came under threat. The family was forced to flee a second time — losing their home, their community, and the life they had rebuilt. Since then, they have resettled in central Ukraine, where they continue to live today.
Marina is now raising two children while also caring for her elderly mother, who lives with a chronic neurological condition. Her husband is currently serving in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Balancing the needs of her children and her mother has placed immense pressure on Marina, especially with limited financial resources.
Her younger daughter, born in 2014, has scoliosis and requires ongoing rehabilitation, a medical brace, and regular travel for treatment. Her older child is finishing school. Rent and utilities consume most of Marina’s income, leaving little room for additional expenses.
A Quiet Impact That Matters
When the Makieieva family turned to Ukraine Power, we were able to respond with practical help that made daily life a little more manageable.
The assistance provided has already made a meaningful difference — giving the children reliable access to education, easing household routines, and reminding the family they are not alone.
Some families carry quiet burdens: caregiving, parenting, surviving displacement — all at once. The Makieievas are one of them. With your help, Ukraine Power continues to support families like theirs with practical assistance and care.
