Author: Petra Erguvanli
Early in 2023, via one of its mentors, Martin Krska, the C4C team was introduced to the Krenovka cultural and community center in the center of Prague, owned and operated by SUDOP Real a.s.
From these first meetings an impactful partnership for the benefit of socially challenged children residing in rural children’s homes developed between C4C and SUDOP in 2024. Since then the newfound partners undertook various meaningful projects together, bringing joy, new experiences, and inspiration to children from children’s homes.
“Our partnership with Krenovka and SUDOP is invaluable for children from orphanages. They get to visit places that expand their horizons and help them grow”, reflects Petra Erguvanli, who heads up C4C’s Springboard to Life initiative.
One of the key initiatives are the popular weekend workshops, primarily designed for children’s homes outside of Prague, with seven homes participating so far. These workshops are held at the ideally suited Krenovka Center and offer children a chance to take part in a variety of creative and educational activities. Here they learn to create comics, draw, explore the basics of make-up, and practice safe and effective use of social media platforms like Instagram, amongst other activities.
Additionally, the children participate in organized guided tours of Prague to broaden their horizons and help them get to know their capital. The workshops include a sleepover, giving the children a more immersive experience and more time to make new friends.
To top things off, the SUDOP canteen provides excellent meals, ensuring the comfort of all participants. SUDOP also supports C4C in training programs and plays a significant role in humanitarian aid for children’s homes. For example, they recently donated a large amount of furniture, which the homes have used as part of their transformation efforts.
The weekend workshops will continue until the end of 2024. By December, Krenovka will welcome three more children’s homes and to conclude the year, a big gathering of all the homes that participated in the 2024 workshops is on the drawing board. This final workshop will offer the children a wonderful opportunity to share their experiences with friends from other homes.
For this day preparations are on its way for a special program – there are plans to invite a magician, organize a balloon show for the children, and take them on a boat ride along the Vltava River with a visit to the Charles Bridge Museum. The children can also look forward to delicious food and a fun photo booth. The C4C team believes that everyone will enjoy the lively atmosphere and take home beautiful memories!
“I believe that 2024 has laid a foundation for 2025, when we hope to not only continue our collaboration but also deepen it”, notes Jakub Vosáhlo, Chairman of the Board of Directors of SUDOP Real a.s.
He then adds: “Collaboration with C4C truly aligns with SUDOPs vision of helping those in need, especially children. Their development and education are key to building a brighter future. Many thanks for this year’s achievements go to the C4C management, especially Petra Erguvanli, and of course, our dear Jakub Morávek, without whom these much-loved weekend workshops would not have been possible.”
Jakub M., as far as the children are concerned, is the very heartbeat of the Krenovka center and manages children activities in tandem with C4C and to wit – he does an incredible job at this!
Says Jakub: “I always enjoy hanging out with the children and their caregivers. The children are polite and humble, and the caregivers treat them like second parents, or sometimes their only parents. I wish them all the happiness in life, especially when they eventually leave the children’s home – they’ll need it.”
The C4C team is thrilled about this joint project and confident that this win-win partnership will continue to bring new opportunities and joy to children who need it most.
