Meet the Newest Members of the Ukraine Team!

We are excited to introduce two new colleagues who have recently joined the DTCare Ukraine team: Olha Kovalchuk and Olena Krytska.

Olena Krytska is based in Kyiv and holds a Bachelor's degree from Taras Shevchenko National University and a Master's from Kyiv-Mohyla Academy. She is also pursuing postgraduate studies in project management in Canada. Olena's previous experience includes roles at the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine and Transparency International Ukraine, where she focused on legal cooperation and project coordination. Olena is excited to contribute to DTCare's efforts around mental health and rehabilitation for veterans and at-risk communities, stating, "Mental stability is the base for our life." Her favorite quote is by Taras Shevchenko: "Keep fighting—you are sure to win!"

Olha Kovalchuk, originally from Bila Tserkva, brings more than ten years of experience working across the legal, military, and humanitarian sectors. With a Master's and PhD in Law, as well as additional degrees in English Translation and Sociology, and international training in crisis management and nonprofit fundraising, Olha has supported NGOs that assist children, women, and veterans affected by war. Before joining DTCare, she served as a senior officer in the National Guard of Ukraine, where she coordinated NATO-aligned planning. Olha is passionate about strategic planning and donor relations, and is inspired by DTCare's hands-on and transparent approach to working. Her motto? "I am always looking for opportunities to change the world for the better."

Please join us in welcoming Olha and Olena! We look forward to all that we will accomplish together as we continue to support those who need it most in Ukraine.

Empowering Ukrainian Girls through Creative Menstrual Health Education with YUNKA

On July 27, the YUNKA feminist initiative group hosted a dynamic one-day event focused on empowerment, education, and inspiration for girls. The highlight of the day was "Monthly," a creative poster exhibition inspired by the eco-friendly Days for Girls Menstrual Health Kits distributed by DTCare UA across Ukraine.

Talented members of the YUNKA team designed the exhibition's posters, each featuring unique artwork and motivational quotes that celebrate the strength, individuality, and value of every girl. The event also included an interactive session on the importance of access to eco-friendly hygiene products and menstrual health education.

Fifteen young participants received Days for Girls kits, along with menstrual cycle calendars illustrated with artwork from the "Monthly" display, providing practical resources alongside creative encouragement.

We are deeply grateful to Days for Girls International for their steadfast partnership in delivering high-quality hygiene kits to girls and women in Ukraine. We also extend our thanks to the YUNKA initiative for nurturing this collaboration into a vibrant and inspiring program—one that supports girls' confidence and empowers them to reach for their dreams.

Discover YUNKA's mission: www.yunka.com.ua

DTCare Builds Stronger Community Connections Among Elders and Children

This month, our Lebanon team focused on providing meaningful, hands-on support to the local community. We started with a special visit to Beit El Diyafeh, where Charbel from our team decided to celebrate his birthday by spending time with older people who inspire us every day. Together, we enjoyed a shared lunch, played games so everyone could join in the fun, and distributed gifts and birthday cakes. The genuine gratitude and warm wishes from the community were the highlight of the day for everyone involved.

We also visited the children at Saint Bernadette NGO. Our team was warmly welcomed, and we brought along food staples for families and gifts for the kids. We spent the day playing games, laughing, and sharing a relaxed coloring session, taking the opportunity to connect and support these young community members. It was clear how much our visit meant when the children didn't want us to leave.

Both experiences reinforced the importance of showing up and spending real time with the people we serve. We are grateful to everyone who contributed and helped make a positive difference through these visits. Thank you for continuing to support our mission and helping us create brighter days for those in need.

Celebrating the Craftsmanship of Southern African Artisans and the MiG-21 Project through Education and Global Collaboration

For more than a decade, a group of gifted artisans from Southern Africa has worked hand-in-hand with internationally recognized artist Ralph Ziman on The MiG-21 Project. These artisans are the creative force behind the project's extraordinary beadwork and wirework, bringing a uniquely African voice to an international artistic dialogue. Each piece of wire and bead is not only a contribution to the art but also a testament to the cultural traditions and craftsmanship that have been passed down through generations. Beyond their artistry, these individuals have also become essential partners in logistics, ensuring the seamless movement of templates, design documents, and finished works of art between Los Angeles and Johannesburg. Their dedication and skill are the foundation upon which the project stands.

DTCare is honored to be deeply connected to this community of artisans and their families. Our relationship goes beyond collaboration; it is a partnership built on respect, care, and a shared commitment to creating opportunities for the next generation. Through our Better Learning, Brighter Futures initiative, we work to provide support where it is needed most. This program focuses on making education accessible for the children of the artisans, while also offering job placement, paid internships, mentorship, and basic living necessities. By investing in both the present and future needs of these families, we aim to foster long-term stability and growth within their community.

Our ongoing collaboration with Ralph Ziman has taken on new dimensions through the creation of artisan-made jewelry inspired by The MiG-21 Project. These pieces are not only beautiful works of wearable art but also a direct avenue of support for the artisans and their children. Every purchase of this jewelry helps fund the Better Learning, Brighter Futures initiative, ensuring that proceeds are reinvested directly in education, skill-building, and community development. In addition, Ralph has generously arranged for proceeds from sales in the Museum of Flight gift shop during the Seattle exhibition to go directly to DTCare, further strengthening the impact of this collaboration and allowing us to expand our support for the artisans' families.

We invite you to experience this remarkable story firsthand. The MiG-21 Project exhibition is currently on view at the Museum of Flight in Seattle, Washington. This exhibition brings together art, history, and humanitarian purpose, offering visitors an opportunity to witness the breathtaking artistry of the Southern African beadworkers while also learning about the impact of collective action. We encourage you to attend, explore, and join us in supporting these artisans whose work enriches not only the world of art but also the lives of their families and community.

Discover more on the Museum of Flight's website here.

Strengthening Global Education and Public Safety in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Our team in Sarajevo is advancing cross-border education and public safety in Bosnia and Herzegovina through an exciting partnership with CEPS College and Texas State University's Faculty of Criminal Justice, featuring the renowned ALERRT Center. Together, we are launching collaborative educational programs and dynamic academic exchanges to empower students and professionals.

Our key initiatives include international winter and summer schools, joint conferences, specialized training programs, and lifelong learning opportunities. CEPS students will soon have a pathway to pursue TSU's online Master's in Criminal Justice, with dual degree programs in Criminology on the horizon.

We are also pleased to announce that the ALERRT Center now authorizes CEPS to deliver accredited public safety training modules, including:

• ALERRT Level 1 (16-hour course)
• ALERRT Level 1 Undergraduate (3-credit course)
• CRASE – Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events (4-hour course)
• ALERRT Train-the-Trainer (T3) – 40-hour advanced course under ALERRT faculty supervision

Special thanks to Mirzo Selimić (Director at CEPS), Pete Blair (ALERRT Center Executive Director), Jeff Bumgarner (Director of the School of Criminal Justice and Criminology at TSU), and our own Amer Smailbegovic (Exploration Geophysicist and DTCare Sarajevo Regional Co-Manager) for making this partnership possible.

Stay tuned as we work together to build safer, stronger communities through global education and collaboration.