What's the problem?
The National Center for Comprehensive Rehabilitation in Liutizh, near Kyiv, has been providing social, physical, psychological, vocational, and medical rehabilitation services to people with disabilities — both children and adults — for over twenty years.
Like many institutions in the area, it suffered severe damage at the start of the full-scale invasion. That meant the center could not provide services just when demand was surging.
"We spent a year and a half on repairs, during which people couldn't come here for rehabilitation," says Yevhenia Podlipenska, acting director of the center. "And during that time, we started seeing new groups of people who needed rehab, like soldiers and civilians injured in shelling or missile attacks. We had to start from scratch, and the demand just kept rising."
Progress was also held back by a shortage of equipment. Some of it had been damaged, and the rest was outdated and couldn't be used to treat the new kinds of injuries brought on by the war. Yevhenia says that because of the war, Ukraine saw a sharp increase in amputations, musculoskeletal injuries, and traumatic brain injuries. These require highly specialized medical and rehab services, which the facility couldn't provide at the time.
What's the solution?
To get access to modern equipment, the center reached out to charity organizations. With the state budget stretched thin by the war, the leadership knew they had to turn to donors. That's how they became part of the Courageous in Spirit project, launched by the Blagomay charity organization in partnership with the international food company Mondelēz Ukraine.
"Thanks to this partnership, we received a brand-new rehabilitation room, as well as modern rehab equipment — massage beds, rehab complexes, and training machines," says Yevhenia. "It allowed us to expand our range of services, treat more people, and seriously improve the quality of care."
New rehabilitation room at the center. Photo: Facebook / National Center for Comprehensive Rehabilitation
How does it work?
The Blagomay Charity Foundation has supported children from disadvantaged backgrounds for over 12 years. Their programs cover education, healthcare, emergency assistance, basic needs, shelter, and recovery.
Since the start of the full-scale invasion, the foundation has also extended its help to rehabilitation centers, children's hospitals, and other social institutions, with the support of Mondelēz Ukraine.
"Our company has been supporting the communities where we work for many years," says Yaroslav Liakhovych, a representative of Mondelēz Ukraine. "After the invasion, we expanded our efforts. At first, we focused on essential aid — generators, equipment, anything critically needed by hospitals in liberated and front-line areas. Soon, however, it became clear that rehabilitation was the next major challenge brought about by the war. We saw how many people needed recovery and knew this was the next step."
And so, in 2024, the Courageous in Spirit project was born — a flagship initiative that shows what can be achieved when responsible businesses and nonprofits join forces. The project aims to establish state-of-the-art rehabilitation departments for adults and children recovering from serious injuries and surgeries.
"This project was created as a response to the real challenges Ukraine faces today," says Kira Syrotenko, acting chair of Blagomay. "Rehabilitation is an issue that goes far beyond hospital walls. That's why we chose to focus on equipping rehab centers with modern equipment. It means not just treating injuries but helping people regain full lives, supporting families, and helping children grow up in caring, supportive environments."
The initiative spans hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and educational institutions and mainly focuses on purchasing modern rehab equipment for medical facilities and training specialists.
This is the equipment purchased for the National Rehabilitation Center as part of the project. Photo: Blagomay
So far, the project has already assisted ten medical institutions and one educational institution, the Bohomolets National Medical University, which created a modern rehab department to train specialists and provide rehab to veterans and children.
According to Yaroslav Liakhovych from Mondelēz Ukraine, another key principle of the project is focusing on small communities across Ukraine, where the need for quality rehabilitation is just as urgent. People affected by war deserve access to proper care, no matter where they live. Today, many are forced to travel hundreds of kilometers to reach rehab centers.
"If we want this kind of help to work," says Blagomay leader Kyra Syrotenko, "we need to upgrade the equipment, train doctors, and develop rehabilitation services in every region. That way, people can recover at home — in their own communities — instead of making long, exhausting trips to big cities. This approach — developing local infrastructure and improving the quality of services at the local level — is a top priority for our project."
Women undergo rehabilitation in a newly equipped office as part of the project. Photo: Blagomay
How does the initiative choose which facilities get support?
According to Blagomay's Kira Syrotenko, proper coordination is key. When it comes to medical support, the Blagomay Foundation works closely with the Ministry of Health of Ukraine. So when a hospital sends in a request, the foundation first checks with the ministry to make sure that the government hasn't already allocated budget funds for the equipment the facility is asking for.
"We understand that medical institutions today need a lot of support — and of course, they're reaching out to different organizations at the same time, because no one can give them guarantees. That's why we try to avoid doubling up on aid. We coordinate and also use online tools that help track the needs of healthcare facilities and what projects have already been completed," says Syrotenko.
She also points out another important detail — it's smart to check if the hospital is undergoing any reform or restructuring before partnering. Syrotenko says their organization has already had a few situations where hospitals requested equipment. At the same time, they were entering a reform process, like changing their legal or operational status. Many systems weren't functioning during that time, and the equipment just sat unused.
Because of that, Kira Syrotenko strongly recommends checking with the institution ahead of time to see if any changes are coming to their operations. That way, you can avoid misunderstandings and make sure the support really helps.
Tips for businesses and new NGOs on building strong partnerships
- Build expertise in your field
Fundraising and partnership-building are serious expert work. It takes time, skill, and a deep understanding of the field. That's why young nonprofit and volunteer organizations shouldn't get discouraged when things get tough — instead, they should keep learning and developing their expertise.
"So many nonprofits start off full of energy and motivation. But over time, that enthusiasm doesn't always last. Over time, burnout can set in, especially if there's a lack of skills or expertise to design long-term projects and build strong partnerships," says Kira Syrotenko, acting chair of Blagomay.
That's why education is a critical part of success, like in any other profession. The more expertise an organization has, the more trust it earns from serious partners, including international foundations and large companies, and the more likely those partners are to invest in well-structured, impactful projects.
Photo: Renovated rehabilitation center in Sumy. Photo: Blagomay
- Learn transparency
If an organization wants to become a reliable partner for businesses, it needs to build clear, transparent processes for coordination and reporting. Only with professionalism and trust can strong partners collaborate with you and invest in your projects, says Kira Syrotenko.
- Reputation and trust
Choosing a nonprofit partner isn't simple for big companies — it's a multi-step process. According to Yaroslav Liakhovych from Mondelez Ukraine, it usually involves reputation checks, audits, and reviews of how transparently the organization operates.
"For example, the Blagomay is trusted by many thanks to its consistent work, regular audits, and commitment to transparency," he says.
So, what should a nonprofit do to build those kinds of relationships? According to Liakhovych, there are a few key steps:
- Get your internal processes in order and make your reporting clear and open.
- Go through the necessary audits and inspections.
- Clearly explain how the funds will be used, and consistently report back after the money is spent.
- Stay flexible and look for creative, practical solutions when challenges come up.
"Businesses are looking for long-term, responsible partnerships, where every penny has a clear purpose. It's not a one-time transaction where we give money and walk away. For us, this is a process we want to follow — we want to see how the money is spent, where it goes, and what impact it has," says Yaroslav Liakhovych. "Of course, like with any big project, there will be bumps along the road. But when partners have transparency and trust, you can overcome anything."
Photo: Patients testing new rehab devices. Photo: Blagomay
If you want to help
Across Ukraine, hospitals, especially those focused on rehabilitation, are still actively looking for partners to help meet their growing needs. Take the National Center for Comprehensive Rehabilitation, for example. It urgently needs staffing support, including recruiting skilled professionals, connecting with international experts, and providing training and consultation to raise the quality of its services.
Their dormitory building also needs repairs so they can accommodate more patients. They hope to expand their programs, including developing comprehensive rehabilitation for people with visual impairments and other specific needs.
These challenges can be partially addressed in this facility and many others through financial, human, and material support from businesses, nonprofits, and concerned individuals. That's why ongoing, growing support is vital.
By the way, Blagomay is raising funds on its website for the New Hospitals program. You can support it with a donation right here, and if you're representing a company or organization, you can reach out directly at info@charitymay.com.
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