Charity today is not only about financial assistance, but also about responsibility, trust, and long-term change. Ukrainian charitable foundations are increasingly becoming drivers of systemic social transformations, uniting society, business, and international partners around the country’s most critical challenges.
Exclusively for Business Woman international magazine, Valeria Tatarchuk, founder of the “Tvoya Opora” charitable foundation, spoke about why the mental health of Ukrainian children must become a national priority, how the culture of charity is changing in Ukraine, why people have become more conscious about donations, and what role honest communication plays today in building trust for social initiatives.
— Which project of the “Tvoya Opora” foundation has changed you personally the most?
— Every project of the foundation leaves its mark, and everything we do is deeply important to us. But today we clearly understand: children’s mental health is what is currently the most vital and painful topic for all Ukrainians without exception. When you encounter a child who has withdrawn into themselves because of the living hell, fear, and pain of war, you realize that no business algorithms work here. A child needs to be given back a sense of safety, their childhood, the right to laugh, and their psychological state must be rebuilt literally brick by brick from the inside.
Today, the mental recovery of children is a matter of our survival as a nation. We must return childhood to children, the right to joy, and rebuild their psychological state from within. You can buy the best equipment and rebuild walls, but if we do not take care of our children’s mental health right now, we will have no future. That is why the child is at the center of all projects of the “TVOYA OPORA” charitable foundation.
A prime example is our Charity Family Day — the largest charitable family festival in Ukraine. It is precisely through such large-scale events that we not only raise funds, but also give children and their parents that very psychological relief, a legitimate right to safe joy, and a healing sense of unity.
— Why is it important for you to speak openly about difficult topics in your podcasts?
— Silence is a barrier that prevents us from moving forward. Society often fears or avoids difficult topics: psychological trauma, burnout, adaptation, fatigue, or even internal challenges in charity and business. We are used to showing either “successful success” or, on the contrary, utter tragedy. But real life is much more complex.
For me, a podcast is a tool to legitimize our shared experiences. When I speak openly with my celebrity guests about their fears, mistakes, or fatigue, it sends a signal to others: “You are okay. Everyone goes through this, and you are not alone.” I believe we must speak about problems through the language of solutions, experience, and honesty. Honesty is what builds the strongest bridges of trust.
— In your opinion, how has the culture of charity changed in Ukraine in recent years?
— It has traveled a colossal path from a chaotic “emotional impulse” to conscious systematically organized effort. People have started choosing foundations just as carefully as they choose a bank or a clothing brand. They look at reports, the team, and operational transparency. The culture of donating itself has transformed and become more conscious on the part of society.
Another important feature is the joint work of charitable foundations and organizations with business. Large companies understand that this strengthens their own capitalization and customer loyalty.
— What does it mean to you to be a woman who not only helps others, but also inspires society to change?
— For me, first of all, it is about great responsibility and a total lack of illusions. Being a leader today is not just a beautiful picture, status, or recognition. It is the ability to maintain balance and make decisions for the sake of a shared result. If my personal work, words, or our team’s projects inspire someone to launch their own initiative, change their approach to business, or simply not give up in a critical moment — then we are doing everything right. To inspire is to show by personal example that even in the darkest and most difficult times, you can create something bright, systemic, and lasting.
Photo: from the author’s archive