For everyone, the word "mother" evokes the warmest associations such as love, care, and strength. Mothers are with us during our most important moments, and from childhood they invest all their knowledge and wisdom in us, to which we come back throughout the entire life. For mothers at Zaporizhstal, in addition to all this, they also instil a love for metallurgy. Valentyna Prokhorchuk's story embodies all of these qualities.
"My sister worked as a crane operator at one of the enterprises in Zaporizhzhia. When I was 11, she took me to the plant and showed me her workplace and the shop. So much time has passed, but I still remember that day and how impressed I was by that huge machine," shares Valentyna.
She started working at the enterprise as a crane operator in 1988, immediately after completing her professional training. From her first working day until today, she has been working at the mould train preparation shop, so she knows it inside and out. Today, almost her entire family works side-by-side with Valentyna.
From her fist working day at Zaporizhstal, a lot has changed in the woman's life. She got married and became a mother three times, but each time she returned to work at Zaporizhstal.
"My children heard stories about Zaporizhstal from early childhood. So it is no surprise that they followed in our footsteps," concludes Valentyna.
Currently, her eldest son Yevhen works as a hot return proportioning operator at the sinter shop. Valentyna's middle son Serhii joined the team in 2010. Sine the beginning of the full-scale invasion, he has been protecting Ukraine on the front line. Like any mother of a Ukrainian defender, she worries about her son and eagerly awaits his return home.
"When we speak on the phone, he always asks how things are at the enterprise and how his colleagues are doing. Everyone here is waiting for him just as much as I am! Zaporizhstal also supports Serhii and he was provided with gear at the start of his service. The enterprise also helped when my son was wounded, providing funds for rehabilitation," says the crane operator.
Incidentally, Valentyna's husband Serhii also works at Zaporizhstal as a repairman at the mold train preparation shop. Their youngest daughter Liubov has qualified as a crane operator and is currently studying at university. So it's quite possible that she too will soon join Zaporizhstal.
"Obviously, the enterprise is more than just a job for our family. We constantly discuss how our shifts went and sometimes give each other advice. I am happy that we all work side-by-side," adds Valentyna.
