(MissionNewswire) Salesians in České Budějovice, Czech Republic, are holding three summer camps for young Ukrainian refugees. Each camp, which will run Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., will bring together 15 youth to provide a time for recreation and peer bonding.

Beyond summer camps, Salesians are providing preschool classes for young children and informal classes for older youth. Hobbies, clubs and recreational programs have also been available. A Czech language course was provided for children’s mothers, ensuring their greater independence and possibilities for job placement.

A Salesian said, “What everyone appreciates most is the sense of freedom, the feeling of being respected and welcomed, of being loved and cared for. They are happy to meet someone here who speaks Ukrainian and Russian. Ukrainian refugees want to talk about the war. They are looking for people who will listen to their experiences and understand them. They want to remember and talk about their home and family.”

In České Budějovice, there are people from Bucha and Mariupol, two Ukrainian cities that were the scenes of terrible clashes and massacres. Some refugees vividly recall searching for shelters and then fleeing from them as the risk increased. Some recalled shelters that were bombed and 30 people died at once. Despite everything, sharing memories helps refugees reduce stress, relax and feel more normal.

Many have become so used to hearing air raid sirens that the silence is difficult. They become anxious and nervous because of the ingrained fear of terrible expectations. Refugees have said that it takes about a week to become used to the silence.

Most refugees want to return to reunite families with fathers and husbands who remained in Ukraine. They also want to live at home again and be with people they have known since childhood. Many left Ukraine convinced that they would only be gone for a few weeks and did not worry much about taking many things with them.

The certainty of returning to Ukraine is no longer a given for many others. One refugee said, “Now we’re wondering. The children already speak Czech quite well. We’re learning it, too. Most of the children go to school. They’re making new friends, we have already booked places for next school year, and we are getting health care. Back home everything is being destroyed. Everything will have to be rebuilt. Who will help us do that? We are receiving weapons now, but will they also help us rebuild an entire country? Once the war is over, who will remember us or think about our needs?”

Salesian missionaries have been providing care for those displaced inside of Ukraine and refugees that have fled to bordering countries. Salesians around the globe are working to provide financial and material donations to help those most in need.

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Sources:

ANS Photo (usage permissions and guidelines must be requested from ANS)

ANS – Czech Republic – Joy of summer camps, fear of silence, doubts about the future: life of Ukrainian refugees from the Salesians in České Budějovice

Salesian Missions

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(MissionNewswire) Salesian Youth Center in České Budějovice, Czech Republic, has a new Salesian Honey project that is providing another educational opportunity for youth. The idea was first conceived in 2013 by Ondřej Trojek, director of the Salesian Youth Center, but it took a few years to turn an idea into educational practice.

Trojek explained, “The idea was conceived at a lecture I attended. I must admit that the other attendees were more enthused about the idea than I was. The thought had been slowly ripening in my mind and awaited the right moment and the right people.”

This year’s beekeeping season is considered one of the worst and most difficult in the last couple of decades. Yet on Dec. 8, the Salesian Honey project launched the sale of its first batch of honey, which is a high-quality, an honest and an original product. The Salesian Honey project is also serving as an opportunity for the Salesian Youth Center to earn revenue, which will help to fund activities for youth.

“Due to the financial backing of the City of České Budějovice, we were not only able to purchase essential beekeeping equipment, but also beekeeping suits for children and thus enable children to visit our beekeeping sites,” said Trojek. “For many of these children, this was their first encounter with beekeeping and with the life of a honeybee. After witnessing the children’s bright, sparkling eyes above the open beehive where they had the opportunity to observe worker bees, drones and the queen bee, we are convinced that this is the way forward.”

The Salesian Honey project takes many people working together in collaboration for it to be successful. Employees of the Salesian Youth Center have come to gather with the support of their family, friends and community members. Trojek added, “The fact that honey connects us and enriches us is the most fun aspect of the whole beekeeping experience. We cannot forget that the key element of the project is youth, who have the opportunity to become beekeepers for short while, get to know bees and the beekeeping craft.”

Trojek said, “It was challenging at first and some thought we were foolish, but we are becoming a part of something new and we hope that in a few years, our Salesian honey will be a household favorite and available for sale throughout all of the Czech Republic and also in the Italian Torino in Valdocco—the cradle of the Salesian family.”

According to the World Bank, the economy in the Czech Republic has been on an upward trend, reducing poverty and unemployment. Women are most at risk of poverty because they earn 22 percent less than their male counterparts. Children of low-income wage earners are also among the highest at-risk groups for poverty in the country. Education plays a major role in helping these youth gain the skills needed for later employment. Accessing education and job training offer helps these youth gain employment skills in industries that are hiring.

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Sources:

ANS Photo (usage permissions and guidelines must be requested from ANS)

ANS – Czech Republic – Salesian honey in České Budějovice

Salesian Youth Center in České Budějovice

Salesian Youth Center in České Budějovice Facebook

World Bank – Czech Republic

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