Biography
Anna and Yevgeniy Bochko are known as sincere, kind-hearted people. Anna was born in July 1985 in Korenovsk (Krasnodar Territory); she was a beloved and wanted child. She was named after her paternal grandmother. Anna says about her family: "Dad was a professional photographer; he photographed weddings and other events. He loved mum very much — this was evident from the huge number of photographs. My mother learned to be a dressmaker and sewed the most beautiful dresses for me and my younger sisters."
Later, the parents divorced; Anna remembers being very close to her stepfather: "He was an excellent father, he loved my mother and us very much, helped with our homework and taught us various skills in his free time. This has been useful for me and my husband." In total, there were six children in the family — a boy and five girls.
When Anna was 10, her father died. "My dream of seeing my dad again collapsed," she recalls. "The only thing that comforted me at that time was a good thought from the Bible about the resurrection of the dead, which I learned about from Bible-based broadcasts on the radio. It was a breath of fresh air and gave me hope for future joy!" Anna's attitude to the Bible was greatly influenced by her great-grandfather, who instilled in her respect for the Holy Scriptures — in his youth he studied at a church school.
Since childhood, Anna loved outdoor games and crosswords; during her school years she played volleyball. Animals played a special role in Anna's life: she treated those who needed help and dreamed of becoming a vet.
After finishing school, she trained to be a pastry chef, but could not work in her profession due to her health. Then Anna became a landscape gardener and worked in a shopping entertainment center in Krasnodar.
At 18, Anna's mother invited her to a meeting for worship of Jehovah's Witnesses. At that time, she was thinking about the meaning of life: is it really only to get married, have children, work, grow old and die? "I decided: I'll go, see, listen — maybe this is what I'm looking for?" Anna recalls. "I said that I would agree if the Bible really teaches the resurrection of the dead." At the age of 21, she was baptized, and a few years later so was her mother.
In 2009, Anna married Yevgeniy Bochko. For a while, the couple lived in Marks, Saratov Region, but later returned home due to the deterioration of her husband's health. Yevgeniy is an electromechanic. In their free time, the couple likes going for walks. Although Anna did not become a vet, she still loves animals, especially dogs, and trains them. She also likes sports, as well as growing unusual plants and enjoys cooking new dishes.
In 2022, the Bochko's house was searched. After that, some of the neighbors cooled toward them: "People with whom we were on very good terms suddenly began to provoke us, trying to start quarrels and record what was happening on video. But we decided not to fall for it but keep the peace as much as possible." Others, on the contrary, express support and consider the prosecution for our faith in God unacceptable.
In the same year, the home of Anna's mother was searched. Due to being under a recognizance agreement, Anna cannot visit her mother-in-law, who is often sick. The elderly woman considers this situation "madness and a violation of human rights." Anna's sisters wonder: "How can you prosecute a person for their faith?"