Author: Jolana Skalova – Three programs, one shared goal, and a total of 41 kindred spirits gathered in one place—that’s the best way to summarize the latest C4C team meeting.
At the Clarion Congress Hotel Prague, colleagues from across the Czech Republic had the chance to reconnect—or, in some cases, meet in person for the first time. The gathering brought together everyone involved in the diverse projects supported by the organization:
- The management and the organizational team, who usually meets in the C4C office in Kladno, Central Bohemia
- The team behind the educational platform Pomocník, who typically works almost entirely online
- Clowns (or Klaun team performers), who visit children’s hospitals and senior homes across Bohemia, Moravia, and Silesia
- Teachers and instructors who lead in-person workshops in children’s homes nationwide or teach online
- Mentors guiding young adults from the Rise Up community
- Fundraisers and salespeople, whose enthusiasm and ability to spread C4C’s mission make all these projects possible
The event kicked off with a musical performance by Dr. Klaun’s Pavel and Hanička, followed by a morning recap of the most important milestones since the last meeting. True to C4C’s spirit, this informative and inspiring review was delivered in a fun, engaging way. Participants split into small groups and competed in a quiz testing their knowledge of C4C’s recent activities. While the competitive spirit eventually swept everyone up, the room was filled even more strongly with an atmosphere of respect, appreciation, and admiration for each other’s work.
“It’s incredible to see so clearly everything C4C has achieved in just a few months,” shared one attendee. “I usually only see my own work and that of a few fellow clowns, so it’s fascinating to learn what others are doing and how it all fits together.”
The morning wrapped up with a cheerful birthday surprise for C4C’s founder, Manfred Franke, turning 75!
Lunch wasn’t just about refueling—it was also a time for informal conversations, fresh inspiration, and brainstorming new projects.
In the afternoon, the group split into two workshops:
- The Dr. Klaun team held a lively (and at times acoustically vibrant!) session in one room.
- Meanwhile, youth workers from the Odrazový můstek k životu(Springboard to Life) program delved into a serious discussion on internet safety.
A huge thank you to the Clarion Congress Hotel Prague for providing the space and excellent food and beverages throughout the day.
The meeting was a resounding success, and everyone is already looking forward to the next one!
