Friday, July 28, 2023

Friday July 28, 2023

 Friday, 28.07

The cost…

What began as a dream in 2006 is now becoming a reality.

Our goal is to obtain the necessary documents needed for the building process this fall 2023. We’ll then move on to the well, septic system and grading the land. We hope to have the foundation in place by spring of 2024.


Thanks to you all (heart), we have had the money in hand for each step we have already completed:

  • Documents to make the two pieces of land into one

  • Lawyer fees

  • Design fees


The cost to complete the building will be $250-350,000 USD… and the only thing we can say to that, is that with God, all things are possible. Logically, it seems like an insane amount of money to raise. But, in 2006, it also seemed like such an unattainable idea that we would someday be living and working in Ukraine, providing occupational therapy to people. 


If you want to be a part of this, please let us know!

 God has used you all for the past 12 years and we are so thankful for all of you!


The picture below is the reason why we are doing this, why we are building a center to accommodate more patients.

Two men, who would have never met each other, if it were not for our clinic. Two men who bonded over the same diagnosis, the same symptoms, the same treatment, the same hope. 


People with disabilities don’t often walk the streets of Ukraine. They are hidden behind doors, made to feel that their life is over and they serve no purpose.

But, there is hope. There is recovery, There is purpose.


Our two guys, Zoltan and Oleksii. They come every morning to the clinic. They work hard. They have become best friends. One is 45 years old and the other 74. 


We want our patients to see each other and understand they are not alone. They are not the only ones with this diagnosis. We want them to see progress in their friend’s recovery and be encouraged that it can happen to them also.


Thursday, July 27, 2023

Thursday July 28







 Thursday, 27.07

Center of Hope, Ukraine

What will the rehabilitation center look like?


We have been working with a building designer for the past several months. Our friend, Andrew, approached us almost 2 years ago, with an offer to help design our building. Andrew is not only a designer, but a carpenter and also a doctor. This has proved to be a great combination because he really understands the needs of our patients and has designed the building in such a way to suit their needs.

The building began as a simple one-level, 400 sq/m property. But, late in 2022, we understood that the building should be larger to accommodate the many Ukrainians, soldiers and civilians, who have experienced injuries related to war.

The building will now be 2 levels and roughly 1000 sq/m.


It will include a large sports hall for occupational and physical therapy, an accessible kitchen where patients will re-learn important cooking skills, accessible bathrooms and showers, a space for psychiatry and counseling, separate space for pediatric therapy and space for an on-site doctor. The second floor will also include living quarters for staff.


Check out the layout, floor plans and renders done by our friend Andrew!

Wednesday, July 26, 2023

Wednesday July 26, 2023





 Wednesday, 26.07

The land!

The land that we purchased with our savings back in 2021 is in an area of Uzhhorod called Horyani. It is located on the eastern edge of the city where there is a higher elevation. You can stand on the land and see the entire city of Uzhhorod down below.

The location is great. By car, you can easily reach the city center in 12 minutes. But, it is far enough, and high enough, from the hustle and bustle of the city to provide fresh air, privacy and ‘quiet’ to our patients.


Future site of: Center of Hope, Ukraine

Center for occupational therapy and physical rehabilitation.


Pictures and videos below include our land during different times of the day and during different seasons.


Tuesday, July 25, 2023

Tuesday, July 25

 2. Tuesday, 25.07

Our dream from the beginning, in 2006, was to return to Ukraine and build a center for physical rehabilitation in Uzhhorod. 

In 2012, we officially moved to Ukraine.

From 2012-2022, I began providing occupational therapy through home health services (and also had 3 babies).

In 2019, I became a member of the Ukrainian Society for Ergotherapy (occupational therapy)

In 2020, we became permanent residents of Ukraine.

In 2021, we bought land for the future rehabilitation center.

In 2022, I came on staff at Uzhhorod National University, Medical Faculty.


All of these steps have led us to where we are today. And we are thankful to our God who orders our steps: Proverbs 16:9 “A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps”. 

We are not smart enough (we just don’t have those business savvy skills…) to know how to create a rehabilitation center from start to finish, but God knows!


In the videos below, we will introduce you to Stepan. (This will be on our private FB page: Mike and Annie in Ukraine)


Monday, July 24, 2023

 July 24, 2023

Week of Updates

 Hey friends!

We have been keeping our private Facebook page up to date for the past few years.

Please ask to join: Mike and Annie in Ukraine

We also have a new website about our medical work in Ukraine: 

https://centerofhopeukraine.org/

Fresh updates (also will share on our private FB page, BUT will not be sharing patient photos here)!


  1. Monday, 24.07

This week we’ll be sharing about our medical work in Ukraine: occupational therapy, psychiatry and counseling. We’ll also be updating you on our building project and medical plans for the future.

In January 2012, we moved to Uzhhorod, Ukraine.


I began doing occupational therapy by myself through home care:

visiting patients in their homes to provide OT services to them.

My first patient was a man in his early 40s, a severe stroke with some of the main

symptoms being inability to move his right arm and expressive aphasia

(the ability to understand words, but difficulty in speaking). 


Now, in July of 2023, we have a small out-patient clinic that provides

occupational therapy (specializing in neurological diagnoses) and psychiatry.

Our team has grown to include Dr Gabrial Anaman, a psychiatrist and

our medical student volunteers: Nikolas (6th year medical student from Kenya),

Moyin (6th year medical student from Nigeria) and Maya

(a recent medical school graduate from Nigeria).


We now serve 14 patients every week with a variety of diagnoses:

stroke, traumatic brain injury, aphasia, back pain and

soldiers with injuries and PTSD related to the war.



Most of you in this group have financially supported us and our medical work

in Ukraine from day 1, back in 2012.


THANK YOU! <3

Without you, we would not have been able to be here for 12 years!


In the pictures below, we’ll introduce you to some of our team,

show some equipment and share the story of Zoltan, one of our patients.

(check out our FB post for pics!)


Contact Information and how to Donate to our work:


Mike and Annie Hallenback


Mike:

mjhallenbeck@hotmail.com

WhatsApp & Viber: +380991841003


Annie:

ahallenback@gmail.com

WhatsApp & Viber: +380665534094


Web: www.centerofhopeukraine.org


And the resurrection of our blog: http://mikeandannieinukraine.blogspot.com

It lives.



Donate:


Paypal

mjhallenbeck@hotmail.com


Tax deduction:

Donations can also go through our home church in Poughkeepsie, NY for a tax-deduction.

Just be sure to add that it is for: Mike and Annie Hallenback/Ukraine.


River Community Church

260 Mill Street, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601


“SecureGive” is also available through the church for online or text giving.

Simply text 518.255.8887 to set up a new account or to make a donation.