Founded in May 2008, MISHKA Children Foundation is a volunteer, non-profit organization ("pending") with a mission to address the needs of disadvantaged children living within the former USSR by providing financial, operational, and humanitarian support.

Who we are

The origins of MISHKA Children Foundation come from the Russian word ‘mishka’, which stands for a ‘teddy bear’. Whether sponsoring life-saving surgeries, providing educational materials to orphanages, or raising awareness of the many needs that can be met but go unsatisfied, MISHKA is focused on making kids’ lives better.

Our work is performed on a volunteer basis, meaning 100% of ALL PROCEEDS goes directly to improving children’s lives and 100% of ALL OPERATING expenses is covered by the members of organization.

What we do

- Raising funds for Pediatric Surgical Oncology performed outside of the former USSR countries including travel and lodging expenses for a patient and immediate family member.
- Raising funds for Orthopedic and Other High-Risk Surgeries performed within the Russian Federation.
- Providing educational materials and supplies to orphanages of the former USSR countries.
- Through collaboration with various artists and non-profit art foundations, organizing art related education programs for under-served children to foster their self-confidence and personal development.

Pediatric Surgical Oncology

Post-operative care is where many cancer surgeries begin to fail in Russia; hospitals in Moscow and St. Petersburg employ highly trained staff and foreign equipment to perform surgery, and although the operation itself may be successful, the lack of adequate care after surgery can be a matter of life and death.
MISHKA Children Foundation sponsors surgeries and post - operative care in the United States. In collaboration with the Russian American Medical Association (RAMA), we cover travel and living expenses for the patient and family members so that they can receive surgery abroad where their chance of survival is significantly improved.

Other High-Risk Surgeries

In Russia, cardiovascular surgeries can range from $5,000-20,000 per procedure. These surgeries are successfully performed in Moscow/St. Petersburg, Russia. We sponsor surgical procedures of cardiovascular and heart diseases.

Leadership

	Irina Kovaleva, Founder Irina came to the United States from Russia in 2000. Her mother made a large impact on her life, being an elementary school teacher for children with disabilities, and her desire to change and make a difference in lives of underserved children. Irina received a BSBA in Finance, International Business and Management from Drake University and currently works at Ernst & Young in Risk Advisory Services as a senior analyst.
	Kira Malysheva, Founder Kira has lived in the U.S. since 1999. Having worked with refugees for a few years, she realized how big of a difference one person can make in somebody’s life by just helping a little. Through MISHKA Foundation she is hoping to make as much difference as possible in children’s lives. Kira has received her BA from State University of New York at Albany and is currently in the process of obtaining her MBA at Institut Universitaire Kurt Bosch, the Prague campus and working at MaMaison Hotels and Apartments as a marketing and sales coordinator.
	Nataliya Kondratenko, President Nataliya came to U.S. from Kiev, Ukraine to study at Pace University (Lubin School of Business). She has received her Bachelors of Business Administration in Finance. While attending Pace University, she signed the contract with Elite Model Mgmt and worked with Valentino, Armani, Oscar de la Renta and other major Fashion Houses. In collaboration with Ukrainian Institute of America, Nataliya organized Health care Improvement Fund Raising Campaign to assist emergency rooms in Ukraine. Currently, she is a committee member of Russian Children Welfare Society, dedicated to assisting disadvantaged children. One of her ultimate goals was to create and develop a Non-Profit Organization to improve lives of children in crisis. The inspiration that is not about self, but rather one that brings about happiness and change to life of those less fortunate.
	Margarita Yakovleva, Marketing and Fundraising Margarita came to the US from Kazakhstan in 1998. Born in a Russian family where her mother was a doctor, pediatrician, she was raised watching her mother providing medical treatments to children and saving their lives. Being a witness to the healthcare deficiencies in the former USSR, she has joined the MISHKA Foundation to help children get better medical care. Margarita has received a BS in International Trade and Marketing form State University of New York and an MS in Integrated Marketing from New York University. She currently works as an Online Marketing Manager at Merrill Corporation in New York and collaborates on several research projects with Cambridge University in the UK.
	Zoya Trachevskaya, Operations and Volunteer Coordinator Zoya has been in US for five years and originally comes from Siberia, Russia where she volunteered as an interpreter helping American reconstructive plastic surgeons communicate with parents of children with congenital facial deformities providing an atmosphere of support prior to, during, and after the surgery. Zoya frequently participates in different volunteering events in upstate NY and is passionate about giving kids a chance for a healthier life through MISHKA Foundation and brining a smile on their face. Zoya received her MBA degree from State University of New York and currently works as an IT Consultant at KPMG, Albany NY.
	Irina Kalashnikova, Project Manager and Events Coordinator Irina was born in Sochi, Russia. She came to America in 2005 to receive her Bachelors of Science in Business Administration majoring in Accounting and Finance while playing tennis for Drake University. Growing up Irina was fortunate to have a supportive family; she realized there are many children who are not as fortunate as her. Irina decided to make a difference in lives of those children through MISHKA. Irina currently works for Commerce, Inc in Des Moines, Iowa in Finance/Implementation department.
	Arman Grigoriants, Website Developer Arman currently lives in Russia; he is originally from Yerevan, Armenia. Arman decided to join MISHKA as there are many people in need who require help, especially children. Although Arman is still a student, he already has knowledge and experience in website development for various small businesses. He performed the initial development of this website.
	Nadia Smirnova-Mierau, Patron, Graphic Designer, Website Designer and Host Nadia is the owner of LIGiclee.com, all-in-one artists services company, specializing in giclee printing, webdesign, graphic design, artists representation. Nadia has designed and produced promotional posters for our events, donated valuable artworks for our charity auctions and online gallery. Nadia is the kind of a person who will always be eager to help those in need, especially children. This website is also one of generous donations by Nadia.