Mission Ukraine Children's Hope

01/30/2026

At the heart of our mission is therapeutic massage—a powerful tool that helps children with disabilities reduce muscle tension, increase joint mobility, improve movement control, and build body awareness. But healing changes are not complete with therapeutic massage alone.

Our mission provides a range of complementary therapies that work alongside massage therapy, giving each child the best possible chance to grow stronger, improve self-image, and become more independent.

These supportive therapies include:

Balance Training – helping children improve: function of the inner ear, coordination, stability, and confidence in movement

Electric Muscle Stimulation (EMS) – gently activating muscles to strengthen weakened areas and support neuromuscular development

Treadmill Therapy – encouraging safe, guided walking to build: endurance, retrain walking gait, and cardiovascular strength

Climbing Ladder Exercises – promoting strength, coordination, and problem-solving through purposeful movement

Acupuncture – supporting pain relief, muscle relaxation, and nervous system regulation

Each therapy is carefully integrated with therapeutic massage, not as a replacement, but as a reinforcement. Massage prepares the body by reducing tension and increasing mobility, while these additional therapies help children practice movement, build strength, and translate relaxation into real-world function.

Together, they form a comprehensive, child-centered program designed to meet each child where they are—and help them move closer to their full potential.

When therapies work together, progress isn’t just possible—it’s sustainable.

Help us help disabled children in Ukraine. Donations of any size are greatly appreciated.

https://muchhope.org/secure-online-donation/

12/22/2025

Looking for a Last-Minute Christmas gift?

Make a donation of any size in honor or in memory of a loved one. In their name, give hope to children who need it most, and offer the gift of healing. Just $10 a month provides 2 therapeutic massages every month for a disabled child.

'Tis the season to help disabled children in need.

https://give.muchhope.org/campaign/755384/donate

12/02/2025

Change a child's life today!

Give the gift of healing on Giving Tuesday.

This is our mission in Ukraine. Twenty-one years ago, I sold everything I owned and committed the rest of my life to helping children with disabilities in Ukraine. Our mission makes therapeutic massage available to children whose parents cannot afford it. Donations as little as $10 will provide two massage sessions for a child with a disability. Please consider helping these children who not only suffer from a disability, but live in a land torn apart by war.

Thanks for your consideration. Mark and Sveta Koehler

URGENT! A generous supporter has agreed to double donations up to $1,000. Be one of the first to make your donation worth twice as much.

https://give.muchhope.org/campaign/744834/donate

12/02/2025

Please help us help these children live a better life.

Give the gift of healing on Giving Tuesday.

This is our mission in Ukraine. Twenty-one years ago, I sold everything I owned and committed the rest of my life to helping children with disabilities in Ukraine. Our mission makes therapeutic massage available to children whose parents cannot afford it. Donations as little as $10 will provide two massage sessions for a child with a disability. Please consider helping these children who not only suffer from a disability, but live in a land torn apart by war.

Thanks for your consideration. Mark and Sveta Koehler

URGENT! A generous supporter has agreed to double donations up to $1,000. Be one of the first to make your donation worth twice as much.

https://give.muchhope.org/campaign/744834/donate

12/02/2025

These children need your help.

Give the gift of healing on Giving Tuesday.

This is our mission in Ukraine. Twenty-one years ago, I sold everything I owned and committed the rest of my life to helping children with disabilities in Ukraine. Our mission makes therapeutic massage available to children whose parents cannot afford it. Donations as little as $10 will provide two massage sessions for a child with a disability. Please consider helping these children who not only suffer from a disability, but live in a land torn apart by war.

Thanks for your consideration. Mark and Sveta Koehler

URGENT! A generous supporter has agreed to double donations up to $1,000. Be one of the first to make your donation worth twice as much.

https://give.muchhope.org/campaign/744834/donate

12/01/2025

Give the gift of healing on Giving Tuesday.

This is our mission in Ukraine. Twenty-one years ago, I sold everything I owned and committed the rest of my life to helping children with disabilities in Ukraine. Our mission makes therapeutic massage available to children whose parents cannot afford it. Donations as little as $10 will provide two massage sessions for a child with a disability. Please consider helping these children who not only suffer from a disability, but live in a land torn apart by war.

Thanks for your consideration. Mark and Sveta Koehler

URGENT! A generous supporter has agreed to double donations up to $1,000. Be one of the first to make your donation worth twice as much.

https://give.muchhope.org/campaign/744834/donate

11/19/2025

Giving Tuesday is just 7 days away. Please keep my brother Mark's mission in mind.

11/14/2025

Meet the Six-Year-Old Whose Determination and Smile are Inspiring.

Sofia is six years old and is afflicted with cerebral palsy, which is a brain disorder that develops during birth or shortly thereafter. Cerebral palsy is a neurological disorder that affects posture, balance, and coordination.

You may recall that we recently held a fundraiser to purchase a treadmill for our massage therapist, Natasha. Natasha has been treating Sofia for five years and has seen a considerable improvement in her demeanor and physical abilities. The treadmill that MUCH provided will be instrumental in her continued progress.

Sofia is now able to attend school, but her mother must sit beside her and help her walk to the restroom. It is hard for Sofia to hold a pen and control it to write simple letters.

Everything that Sofia tries to do is hard. She has to will her muscles to control them, but she never gives up. She is as determined as the fiercest warrior, but always with a smile.

Your donations assure her and her mother that treatment will continue to be available.

Your gift provides restorative massage therapy to disadvantaged children — offering comfort, recovery, and the human touch of compassion they deserve.

This Giving Tuesday and Christmas season, bring healing and hope to Ukraine’s disadvantaged children.

Giving Tuesday is 18 days away, but you can donate now and start helping children with disabilities today.

https://give.muchhope.org/campaign/744834/donate

11/05/2025

One step at a time.

How a determined therapist and donors are changing lives.

In 2010 I met Natasha M. She was an exercise trainer at an internat (orphanage) in NW Ukraine. With a University degree in Sports Medicine, she was the ideal candidate to become a MUCH massage therapist. The director of the internat provided a doctor's exam table to be used as a massage table.

Once Natasha began to work with the children, there was no turning back. Not only did she enjoy giving massage treatments to improve physical and mental health, but it also challenged her to learn more every year. She returned to University to get her Masters degree in Speech Therapy to learn how facial muscles affect speech. She continued to earn certificates and raise her qualifications as a rehabilitologist.

Fifteen years later, Natasha continues to treat children and now soldiers from the war in her city. She started her own clinic and is showing very significant results. She was recently challenged in her rehabilitation program, where she instructs her clients to walk correctly. She asked MUCH if we could help her get a treadmill. You can see in the video how she is using it with two of her clients. I know that she will use it with more children and soldiers.

Here is her letter and video to MUCH:

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/7IAbuo0QPSw

Hello MUCH director and sponsors,

The war in Ukraine has caused adjustments in many areas. Rehabilitation of soldiers has become very important at the present time. I also continue to work with children who have various forms of musculoskeletal disabilities.

As a rehabilitation specialist, I see a great need for corrective equipment. I understand that the best results can be achieved when I will use various massage methods and at the same time appropriate equipment. I sincerely thank the Director and Sponsors of MUCH for the rehabilitation treadmill. This is not just modern equipment. For adults and children, it is a path to recovery, an opportunity to take new steps towards health, confidence and a full life every day.

Your support is proof that the true power of love is manifested in good deeds. Thanks to your help, I received a tool that will bring hope to many and will motivate soldiers, parents, and children, to move forward and open the door to new victories.

The rehabilitation treadmill that you donated will become a symbol of constant movement: from difficulties to achievements, from pain to strength, from obstacles to success. Every step we take will now echo your kindness and concern. Thank you very much!!!

Thank you very much for your faith, support, and willingness to invest in the future of those who need help. Your contribution cannot be measured in kilometers or kilograms — it is calculated in human hearts.

Sincerely, Natasha, massage therapist and rehabilitation specialist of the mission MUCH.

Natasha receives a treadmill from MUCH donors to excelerate her rehabilitation treatment program for children and soldiers

10/23/2025

Expanding Hope and Healing

We’re expanding our therapeutic massage program to reach more children and soldiers.

How We’ll Do It

Our initial step is to hire two to three additional massage therapists in Mykolaiv, a city of 500,000 located near our home. We will seek out existing massage therapists who align with our vision to join our team. Additionally, we will provide an opportunity for aspiring massage therapists to receive training and join our organization.

We’re Making Great Strides In Healing

Two examples of how our massage therapy program is changing lives.

Kiril is two and a half years old and was diagnosed with hereditary lymph drainage disorder. He experienced severe swelling throughout his body, and his lungs were filled with fluid.

Dr. Natalia provided therapeutic massage treatments over a two-year period. Now, only his legs remain swollen.

Check out this video of Kiril's mother thanking MUCH.

https://youtu.be/jv34ta1cnYM?si=hbZm6ZAIr3Qczai5

From Depression to Hope

Andre, a soldier, husband, and father of two sons, lost his legs in combat. This loss not only affected him physically, but also shattered his will to live. He grappled with profound questions about how he could lead a fulfilling life without his legs.

Depression and anxiety consumed him. However, stories of his fellow soldiers who had benefited from therapeutic massage treatments from Natasha piqued his interest. They had not only improved physically but also experienced significant mental improvements. Inspired by his family and fellow soldiers, Andre decided to seek Natasha’s help.

After undergoing numerous therapeutic massage treatments, Andre’s physical and mental condition began to improve. He regained his optimism and discovered that life without legs could be gratifying. His unwavering support from his wife and sons provided him with the emotional strength to persevere.

Andre built a workshop that accommodated his disability and began crafting items that he could sell to support his family.

Natasha was his invaluable physical and mental mentor, offering him invaluable insights and encouragement throughout his journey.

How You Can Help

We have donation opportunities on Giving Tuesday and for our yearly Christmas Fundraiser in December.

Keep an eye out for updates and donation opportunities.

Thank you for your continued support. Together, we’re healing those who need us most.

Expanding Hope and Healing

We’re expanding our therapeutic massage program to reach more children and soldiers.

How We’ll Do It

Our initial step is to hire two to three additional massage therapists in Mykolaiv, a city of 500,000 located near our home. We will seek out existing massage therapists who align with our vision to join our team. Additionally, we will provide an opportunity for aspiring massage therapists to receive training and join our organization.

We’re Making Great Strides In Healing

Two examples of how our massage therapy program is changing lives.

Kiril is two and a half years old and was diagnosed with hereditary lymph drainage disorder. He experienced severe swelling throughout his body, and his lungs were filled with fluid.

Dr. Natalia provided therapeutic massage treatments over a two-year period. Now, only his legs remain swollen.

From Depression to Hope

Andre, a soldier, husband, and father of two sons, lost his legs in combat. This loss not only affected him physically, but also shattered his will to live. He grappled with profound questions about how he could lead a fulfilling life without his legs.

Depression and anxiety consumed him. However, stories of his fellow soldiers who had benefited from therapeutic massage treatments from Natasha piqued his interest. They had not only improved physically but also experienced significant mental improvements. Inspired by his family and fellow soldiers, Andre decided to seek Natasha’s help.

After undergoing numerous therapeutic massage treatments, Andre’s physical and mental condition began to improve. He regained his optimism and discovered that life without legs could be gratifying. His unwavering support from his wife and sons provided him with the emotional strength to persevere.

Andre built a workshop that accommodated his disability and began crafting items that he could sell to support his family.

Natasha was his invaluable physical and mental mentor, offering him invaluable insights and encouragement throughout his journey.

How You Can Help

We have donation opportunities on Giving Tuesday and for our yearly Christmas Fundraiser in December.

Keep an eye out for updates and donation opportunities.

Thank you for your continued support. Together, we’re healing those who need us most.

09/26/2025

The new school year has begun! Even though some universities were damaged during the Russian drone attack, education continues.
Scholarship Program students Daniel and Dima returned to the classrooms with inspiration and a great desire for knowledge.

This is Dima's second year of study at the University of Oil and Gas Engineering and Technologies. For Daniel, this is his third year pursuing his medical degree. Then he wants to specialize in anesthesiology.

Our third student, Sasha, did not have a summer vacation this year. Due to the lack of heating at the university (due to financial constraints), the administration stopped the educational classes in the winter, and the students were given unscheduled vacations. Instead, the summer was a time of active learning to make up for what was lost.

This is Sasha's second year of study. He is diligently studying for his future profession as a surveyor. Sasha possesses a diverse range of talents, including wood carving, bead weaving, solving puzzles, and playing volleyball and badminton. He attaches great importance to playing the drums in the youth church team “His Voice”

This year, our fourth student graduated from the University. Valya received a diploma in geography teaching. She expresses her gratitude for your help and believes that this Scholarship Program is very important for Ukrainian students!

These four students are members of the youth worship group “His Voice” in one of the Ovidiopol churches.

Financial support from sponsors helps our students cover the costs of travel to Odessa. Thank you for supporting students during this important period!

Additionally, children from the orphanage in the city of Dobromel have resumed studying in the computer class. Luba continues to work with children who have disabilities and require additional time to learn how to operate computers.

09/06/2025

Hello, I’m Mark Koehler, and MUCH is my mission. Twenty years ago, I gave up everything I owned and moved to Ukraine to serve children with disabilities. Today, in the midst of war, my wife, Sveta, and I also bring healing and hope to wounded soldiers.

For the price of a sandwich—just $10 a month—you can stand with us and change a life. Your support provides real care, real relief, and real hope to those who need it most.

Please consider joining our mission today.

https://give.muchhope.org/campaign/719412/donate