SOS Children in Czech Republic

Overview of Czech Republic

The Czech Republic came into being in 1993 following the dissolution of the former state of Czechoslovakia. It has two main regions, Bohemia in the west and Moravia in the east. Prague, the capital city, is a major tourist attraction and considered to be one of the most important cultural centres in Europe.

Our Work in Czech Republic

Doubi

We began working in the former Czechoslovakia in the 1960s when the first SOS Children's Village opened in Doubi, a suburb of the spa town of Karlový Váry (Carlsbad).  The SOS Children’s Village in Doubi is about 10 km from the centre of town in an attractive woodland surrounding popular with walkers. It has 12 family houses for up to 78 children. The area is well equipped with local facilities; there is a hospital nearby and children attend local schools in Karlový Váry. A playground and a sports field were created to give the children an outdoor area to learn sports and to have fun. There are also two SOS Youth Homes for up to 27 older children in nearby Karlový Váry. The youths are supported by qualified social workers to take their first guided steps towards independence while they finish their studies or vocational training.

Chvalčov

Medlánky

A third Village was built in Medlánky, near Brno in Southern Moravia. Opened in June 2002, the Village has nine family houses for up to 59 children and an SOS Youth Home. There is a community building on the Village site which provides a space for the families to come together to celebrate festivities. The children have access to an activity house which runs workshops and a playground provides outdoor space.

At present there are three SOS Children's Villages in the Czech Republic, two SOS Youth Facilities and one SOS Mother and Staff Training Centre.

Life in SOS Children's Villages Czech Republic

Jirka came to the SOS Children's Village Karlovy Vary when he was three. Little was known of his future sporting talent then. However, the obvious ambition to be a winner was hiding in the small child’s soul. As he grew up, Jirka tried football and basketball.  Eventually he firmly set himself on athletics, and he quickly progressed.

In athletics, Jirka particularly enjoys long-distance runs. His resilience and determination are key to his continuing progress.  He won the Running Youth Cup for a series of runs in 2009, some reward for the many hours put into the training track.

Jirka also won recognition also in a less well known discipline – dog training. In 2009, he became the Youth Champion of the Czech Republic in training. Why did he get into training? At the end of the summer of 2006, Jirka’s sister Klarka brought home an abandoned puppy. It showed an unfailing will to live. Jirka took charge of the puppy at home and he started training the dog to perform a few simple skills. Dog training calls for accuracy, speed and perfect harmony between the dog handler and the dog. Jirka spent many hours with his dog. Initial failures did not discourage him, and he is now a respected trainer.

Local Contact

Sdruzeni SOS Detských Vesnicek            

Czech Republic                    

Fax: +420/2/33 335452