Ten operations for the first steps

     Melasha was born at 28 weeks’ gestation and weighed just 970 g. She spent her first month in intensive care on a ventilator, and her second month in the neonatal intensive care unit. At the age of one, Melanochka was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and spastic tetraparesis. Since then, she has undergone continuous courses of rehabilitation, massage, swimming therapy and a series of operations, one after another. The fight for the chance to walk continues.
In accordance with Cooperation Agreement No. 21 between the Charitable Organisation International Charitable Foundation ‘Ukrainian Charity Exchange’ and the Charitable Aid Operator Charitable Foundation ‘Pomagayem’ dated 31 August 2020, and Supplementary Agreement No. 21. 325 of 24 July 2025, the project ‘Ten Operations for First Steps’ was launched on the website dobro.ua with the aim of raising charitable donations to cover the cost of Melania Kuzmina’s treatment.
Subsequently, there arose a need to use part of the funds raised on the website dobro.ua to pay for a set of implants and consumables required for the girl’s surgical procedure. Therefore, in accordance with letter No. 424 dated 19 August 2025, we received the collected sum of 21,489.00 UAH (twenty-one thousand four hundred and eighty-nine hryvnias, 00 kopecks) into the Fund’s account and continued fundraising on the dobro.ua platform.
On 12 September 2025, Melaniya underwent her eighth surgical procedure, which lasted approximately 4 hours. The girl coped with it very well, and the doctor was satisfied with the results of the procedure.
In February of this year, the girl was scheduled for her next operation, so there was once again a need to use part of the funds raised on the dobro.ua website to pay for her surgery. Therefore, in accordance with letter No. 72 dated 16 February 2026, we received the raised sum of 74,189.00 UAH (seventy-four thousand one hundred and eighty-nine hryvnias, 00 kopecks) into the Fund’s account and continued the fundraising on the dobro.ua platform.
On 20 February 2026, Melania underwent her ninth operation, which lasted around two and a half hours. She came through it very well.
Melania is currently at home, but her condition fluctuates — the pain is still making itself felt. In the evenings and before bed, she has to take painkillers. For the time being, the family has asked the teachers not to visit the girl, and lessons have been temporarily cancelled, as it is difficult to read or do maths whilst lying down. Her leg is in a cast, so she cannot stay in one position for long. Her grandmother looks after her constantly: she changes the girl’s position and places pillows underneath her to prevent bedsores.
But there are pleasant moments too — spring has arrived! They often open the window, draw back the curtains and ‘go for a walk’ as her grandmother says. Friends often drop in to support and cheer Melania up. In her spare time, the girl watches TV or reads, when she has the strength to do so. Most often, her grandmother reads her favourite books to her.
We plan to use the remaining unused funds of 32,989.00 UAH (thirty-two thousand nine hundred and eighty-nine hryvnias, 00 kopecks) to meet the girl’s needs in 2026; the project is still raising funds.
We sincerely thank the donors and partners at dobro.ua for their help and support!

Reports

(Progress) Descriptive project report dated 16.03.2026 Financial report (Progress) dated 16.03.2026 Contract for the supply of goods 1 Invoice 1

Bank transfer receipt 1 Delivery note 1 Service Agreement 2 Invoice 2

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Project documents

Letter for project placement