"I live with three grandchildren. It's hard to do it alone"

It was immediately clear in early 2014 that something was wrong. There were roadblocks Military men came here. Then they started shooting and bombing, firing with Grads. We hid in the cellar when mines fell here and exploded. The farm was destroyed by one of them. The house over there was hit. The roof was destroyed.

I took my wife, and we rushed to the basement. Where else to hide? Well, at least, we still have a cellar.  

We just lay down when they started bombing. So we lay on the floor. Then they stopped. We all went to bed. We could still hear this whistling sound.

I buried three people: father-in-law in January, daughter in March, and wife in November. And now it has been almost a year when I was left alone with the kids. My late wife bought this house. I live with my grandchildren. Their mother was very ill. She died. My father lives in a neighboring village, but he has never been here before.

Of course, it's hard to be alone. Now I understand how hard it is for our women. All the washing and cooking... Every evening I need to wash them, make breakfast in the morning, send them to school, to kindergarten, etc. It's hard to do it alone. I need to take care of them. I also have to help with homework. There is still washing and cooking to do. This is all hard. Well, with the help of God I am trying to pull through.

I wish they grew up good people. I explain to them what is good and what is bad. I tell them not to go strange houses. I teach them to help others and be kind. I wish they set on their feet, start their own families. I wish they got degrees.