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This is my story
I am Olesia Ganzha. I was born 4th in the family. There are six of us children. As far as I remember, my parents were not friendly. Father used to drink and beat Mother. I remember the day Father came home drunk, he awoke Mother and started beating her with a poker and à metal dustbin lid. The reason was that he didn't like the way she cleaned the kitchen. Such violent beatings were not unusual, so to cope with them, Mother was often drunk herself.
One evening we were all with Mother at home. We watched a cartoon film and were getting ready to go to bed. Then Father came home drunk. He started beating Mother again until she was covered in blood. He forced us to wash her. On that particular day she was also drunk. She went to bed and started breathing heavily. That was a sign of her coming death. The next morning she died. My older sister and Father were trying to give her liquid ammonia, but it was too late.
In a day, a district militia officer came, they signed some documents and took Mother's body away. Father wasn't at home. The day came to bury Mother, but our life continued the same. Our youngest sister was 8 months old then and she was taken to a rescue shelter.
Our older sister Natasha cooked for us and took care of us as much as she could. Father often chased us all over the house beating us with a cane. Often he poured cold water over us to awaken us in order to do chores. Often we were locked in a vegetable cellar, which Father opened only when he wanted.
When Natasha got married and moved to another village, we used to go to visit her. But when Father threatened to knife us we didn't return, because we were afraid of him. We were sent to a nursing home for few days and then to the orphanage at Mikhailivka. I forgave Father all the pain and hurt, and I hope he'll come to God one day. In a time, God wanted to bring joy to us. He gave us new parents, and a new and happy life was started - a life without tears and without fear.
I remember that very first day when Uncle Anatolii took us home. I was very scared. We took a shower and were given new clothes. When the table was laid, it took my breath away. I never saw such food, such dishes, forks and spoons. In the afternoon they showed us the house. I thought I was in the house of Kings. Alla wanted to play with me but I was incapable, I was just too shy.
I became a Christian when I was 9, and was baptized at 17. I am with God to this very day. My new family made me happy. I remember how my new mom and Alla, my new sister, treated my legs, which were covered with wounds. I remember how my new dad, my mom and Alla were happy to have us. We were just strangers, with so little in common, yet we became so dear to each other. They told us they couldn't imagine life without us. This new family did for us the best they could. They brought us up as Christians. They nursed us, gave us knowledge, they game us a good start for life. I am thankful to God for these people who gave me new life, joy and hope. I owe my life to them.
Olesia has been sponsored by Hope Now in the Home of Anatolii and Katya Perepilitsa for 11 years and is about to complete her course at nursing college. She anticipates going on to Poltava Medical College in September to study medicine and hopes to become a surgeon.
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