Total aid rendered to children at risk and in need again exceeds 50 million CZK!
Well, it’s that time of the year again! Before C4C’s annual audit, comes what we commonly refer to as “number crunching time”! Not really considered the most thrilling and inspiring activity by C4C’s highly motivated volunteers (smile), the exercise nevertheless yields every year surprising and exciting results.
So, if you’re interested in what has been accomplished during the last year here at C4C, read on. It’s been an inspiring year with lots of progress made on all fronts. Here are the highlights:
1) ROBIN HOOD Program: Our folk hero of old has done it again! Having left Sherwood Forest and the jurisdiction of the Sheriff of Nottingham already some time ago, his romping up of support for orphans and children at risk here in Central Europe has again yielded amazing results: The ROBIN HOOD team, with the help of C4C’s patrons, partners and friends, again topped the 50 million CZK mark in aid rendered to children less fortunate than others! Come to think of it – that’s an incredible amount! (US $ 2.5 million!) This massive infusion of aid has been instrumental in decisively upping the quality of life of thousands of children in need and at risk in these countries!
2008 Robin Hood Stats at a Glance:
4591 children received help
82 orphanages benefitted
51.505.887 CZK total aid rendered
241 pallets of brand new clothing and shoes received
250.373.571,- CZK aid rendered to 371 institutions since Robin Hood inception 1996
2) DR. CLOWN: As many of you know, 2008 marked the inception of our new and improved Dr. Clown concept. In partnership with National Cirkus Berousek, all of C4C’s clowns regularly participate in seminars held on a variety of topics. Recent workshops had a strong focus on improvisation rather than adhering to rigid routines, to help the clowns to better cope with the demands and needs of the individual children and the diversity of situations they encounter.
2008 Dr. Clown stats at a glance:
3735 hospitalized children entertained
216 clown visits to hospitals and children wards
12 seminars/workshops held
51.021 balloons sculptures made
11.074 km travelled to visit hospitalized children in Prague and Stredocesky Kraj
On the drawing board: COD! CLOWNS ON DEMAND! More on this soon on this website.
3) SPRINGBOARD TO LIFE (STL): As physical conditions in local Czech orphanages and institutions with resident children continue to improve, C4C’s focus and emphasis in recent years has been marked by a decisive shift from purely humanitarian assistance to becoming providers of educational and vocational services through our STL program.
Asserting that every child has the right to an education (and considering the high failure rate amongst young adults leaving their respective institutions) , the STL team helps children at risk to integrate into society, by providing supplemental educational courses to help them find their bearings in life. Read more about the C4C’s STL initiative here.
2008 STL stats at a glance:
469 children participated
157 children received diplomas of accomplishment
148 classes given by STL teachers
1.997 hours taught
14.403 km travelled by teachers
Participating institutions:
DD Racek
DD Sazava
DD Pysely
DD Zatec
DD Ledce
ZS Zilina
Klokanek – Hostivice
Klokanek - Prague 10
In closing, we’d like to thank all of our friends, patrons, partners and helpers for their continued support and sacrifice, especially during these days of economic turmoil and uncertainty. Your help has made all of the above possible and it makes you truly part of us!
Even though we can’t promise any dividends in the conventional sense, we know that kindness shown to others is never lost and always brings returns. It is an investment into a better future. Like the old saying asserts: Kindness, sacrifice and charity simply can’t be given away, for they always return to the giver in values that can’t be measured in only dollars and cents!
Thank you all for walking the walk with us and for being there when needed!