First Home Update – From Poltava to Kibbutz Ashdot Yaakov

Aliyah is always not an easy decision, especially when you are no longer too young to start your whole life from zero. Igor and Elena from Poltava (Ukraine) took that important step when they were 60 and 54 years old, respectively. They thought about living in Israel many times but there were many doubts due to their age and health problems. Overall, the whole process took them 38 years.

Igor and Elena from Poltava (Ukraine) | Photo: JAFI

“In 1986, I was one of the liquidators of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant accident. After that I was forced to undergo long and frequent treatment. My health was undermined, and I wasn’t sure I would be able to support and feed my family in another country”, Igor shares. But time passed, their sons grew up and made their own decision to make aliyah.

“Aliyah is always not an easy decision, especially when you are no longer too young to start all over”

Igor and Elena with their two sons | Photo: JAFI

“They moved one by one to Israel. Our eldest son Yakov-Israel works as a programmer in Petah Tikva, while the younger one serves in the IDF. Their move helped us overcome our fears and begin planning our own aliyah. And then we were faced with a lot of questions: how to leave Ukraine, where exactly to go in Israel, how to complete all the documents, where to live?”, – the family recalls.

Since they had been thinking about moving for a long time, they had carefully researched the issue and had heard about the “First Home in the Homeland program” many times. They were not sure they would be able to participate in the program because of their age.

“I decided to take a risk and contacted them. Yulia and Valeria listened to our story and promised to help. So, after just a few months we found ourselves in the beautiful kibbutz Ashdot Yaakov near Lake Kinneret”.

We were sure that this is the right place for them, with professional coordinators and volunteers, a small Hebrew class and a relaxed kibbutz atmosphere. From the first day of their stay in the country, they were surrounded with love and care, all issues with the documents were resolved by their coordinator Natalia, the apartment was completely ready, the local old-time-volunteer Leia was nearby all the time to provide them with everything they needed.

But even more interesting is their journey from Ukraine to Israel. Many years ago, our former director Elena met Koen Carlier from Christians for Israel in Ukraine and made an important point: “You help people сross the border and reach their destination. But do you know what happens to them afterwards, how they settle in Israel? We are the side that welcomes them, give them a home, and we can work together.”

Since then, hundreds of families have found their First Home in this way, thanks to the help of Christians for Israel in Ukraine, Koen and his professional team. This family from Poltava was no exception.

“We have heard about Christians for Israel many times. Our children moved to Israel with their assistance. When we decided to make aliyah, we contacted them and received real care and help in all matters. They brought us with many suitcases from Poltava to Vinnitsa and then straight to Moldova on a plane. During this way we met a wonderful man with a big heart – Koen. He listened attentively to everyone, helped to load the luggage himself, and drove with us in the minibus that took us across the border with Moldova. It’s because of people like him that we are here.”

Today, the family still lives in kibbutz Ashdod Yaakov. They have completed their Hebrew studies and are looking for a job and a place to live in the city closer to their sons. Christians for Israel and the “First Home in the Homeland” program helped them take this important step and reunite with their children in the Promised Land. They are very grateful to everyone they have met along the way, and they are truly happy to start a new life in the Ashdod Yaakov “greenhouse” in the Jordan Valley!

Igor and Elena with Yulia and Valeria | Photo: JAFI

This story shows that together we can help people fulfil their cherished dreams and overcome any difficulties on the way home! We are honoured to have friends like you!

Please support the “First Home in the Homeland” Project. Any amount is welcome!
Assisting a family in the “First Home” program costs € 230 euro / US $ 250 a month.

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