The Life Story of Pelahiia Kachka
Pelahiia Kachka, a 103-year-old woman living in the village of Mykhniv in the Khmelnytskyi region, has endured the Holodomor famine, forced labor in Germany, and the Second World War. Born on November 4, 1922, she is one of the oldest residents of the Iziaslav community and only managed to complete four years of schooling. In 1942, she was deported to Germany for forced labor, where she worked alongside roughly 150 others from her village in a factory manufacturing parts. Her story is a powerful testament to the resilience of ordinary people caught in the tides of 20th-century European history.
Family Life and Memories
After the war ended in 1945, Pelahiia returned to her home village and worked on a pig farm. She gave birth to five children and now has seven grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild. She continued working until the age of 70 and now lives with her youngest daughter.
Reflecting on the past, Pelahiia Kachka shared her memories:
“My grandmother lay there, dead. And my younger sister died.”
She also dreamed that “the war would end and all my children would gather together.” Pelahiia Kachka’s life stands as a witness to the endurance and indomitability of the human spirit under the most difficult circumstances.
Pelahiia Kachka’s story illustrates not only personal suffering but also the collective memory of the Ukrainian people, who endured numerous trials in the 20th century. Her testimony about the Holodomor, the war, and forced labor underscores the importance of preserving historical memory and acknowledging past trauma. In the face of modern challenges, such as the ongoing war in Ukraine, stories like hers can serve as inspiration for new generations, demonstrating how resilience and hope can help overcome the most difficult times.