Olga Tkachenko, co-owner of Europassage office building and an alumna of MIM-Kyiv SE MBA and DBA programs, strongly believes that helping those in need and simultaneously developing business, technology, and culture contributes to creating humane and cohesive societies. She has been actively involved in charity and volunteering since 2014, and her philanthropic efforts expanded significantly after the full-scale Russian invasion.

Ms. Tkachenko has focused her efforts on supporting socially vulnerable children and single mothers. She explains, "Only when people's basic needs like food and shelter are met can they have aspirations." Her latest project involves establishing a home in the countryside for Diana, a mother of two. Currently, Ms. Tkachenko is raising funds for a family with thirteen children and a single mother with four children.

Providing homes lies at the core of her strategy. She identifies buildings available at reasonable prices and purchases them using the funds raised. She targets single homeless mothers many of them losing their homes as a consequence of the war. This approach allows her to address a complex set of problems. She shares the story of Diana, who was forced to leave her rented home due to her landlady’s daughter falling ill and thus needed funds for medical treatment. Ms. Tkachenko helped Diana purchase a home and furnish it, firmly believing in the value of home ownership. This way, instead of struggling with unaffordable monthly rent, Diana can focus on her children's upbringing and education. Ms. Tkachenko maintains regular contact with Diana and is delighted to witness the positive changes in her life. She takes pride in the active participation of Ukrainians in charity work, as it took just two weeks to raise funds for Diana, with many people donating toys, clothes, and groceries.

In addition to providing housing, comprehensive support is provided to avoid legal complications. Such assistance is crucial because individuals often lack the knowledge to navigate through all the necessary formalities. Poverty sets off a vicious cycle where children fail to complete high school, lacking fundamental knowledge and social skills, resulting in limited employment prospects. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the situation. Online schooling requires gadgets that children from impoverished families cannot afford. Ms. Tkachenko emphasizes the importance of addressing this issue, stating, "We often assess the situation based on our own experiences, but it's not the best approach. We need to tackle the problem of assisting children from vulnerable families and give them a chance at a better life. That's why I strive to provide gadgets to all the families I'm helping. It's critical because without smartphones or tablets, they cannot study, especially during lockdowns. Fortunately, most Ukrainians don't understand what it means to live below the poverty line."

Unfortunately, society is expected to face an increase in the number of such families after the war, particularly in the liberated territories.

Ms. Tkachenko collaborates with the Dobrodiy Club, an all-Ukrainian charitable organization that helps children, as well as the Save the Child charity foundation, which supports the lives of children and aids mothers in difficult situations. She donates to the Dobrodiy Club and relies on their assistance in connecting with families in need. For instance, she found Diana through this organization, while Save the Child helped her identify Tetiana, a mother of four whom she is currently assisting. When she identifies a family independently, she asks these organizations to conduct due diligence to avoid fraud and allocate resources efficiently. Following that, she initiates fundraising campaigns on social media or personally.

Ms. Tkachenko is committed to giving all children the opportunity to change their lives and break the cycle of poverty. She also aims to help mothers overcome vulnerabilities and difficult situations, enabling them to move forward.