From this year on, “Barborka“ will dedicate more funds to orphans' health care

Ostrava – This year, the Saint Barbara's Civic Association will primarily focus on health care for children whose one of the parents died in work-related accidents that involved a member company of the association. The board approved the so-called health care clause, which e.g. provides for the payment for one dose of the cervical cancer vaccine or of an annual allowance for preventive care of up to 1,000 crowns. It will also cover half of the cost of the braces or other expensive medical devices as Vladislav Sobol, the President of the Association, informed the annual meeting yesterday.

The aim of the association is to mitigate the effects of the crisis on families affected by the loss of their breadwinner. "In the past, obtaining requests for cost participation related to medical procedures was rather an exception; at present, they are becoming more common. We have therefore prepared clear rules to ensure that our children receive the required medical care and prevention," said Zdeněk Stronček of the Karviná Mine who represents the trade unions on the board of the association.

The association currently supports ninety children from the Czech Republic, Poland and Slovakia. Last year, for example, they received donations in the amount of CZK 256,000 for school fees, CZK 234,000 for language courses, CZK 244,000 for laptops or computers and over CZK 218,000 for accommodation in dormitories. The children received another nearly CZK 600,000 through regular allowances at the opening of the school year and at Christmas and the students also received allowances for completed semesters.

Also this year, “Barborka“ prepares stays in health resorts and trips that mothers with children could not afford otherwise. "More of them will be available but they will be cheaper. Instead of the originally planned seaside holidays, mothers themselves suggested stays in the Hungarian spa resort. That is how there will still be some funds left to finance shorter trips into the countryside," said Joseph Hodak, the association’s Vice-President. According to him, the priority of the activities is the support of an all-round development of children with an emphasis on education to prepare them to succeed in their adult lives.

The activities of the Association are funded member firms, led by the company OKD, which is the founder of the organisation. Individual miners´ teams also make contributions to the common budget. OKD is the Barbora Foundation’s main donor and partner and, since last year, NWR, the OKD´s parent company.

(vs)