Visit to Jazmin

Jazmin is in Handlova, a mining town near Banska Bystrica, and is the only shelter for the homeless in the region . It currently has a total of 64 clients that are placed in different sections of the institution: a homeless shelter, a foster home, 5 children in an apartment with foster parents. The clients are a mix of homeless adults and elderly people, abused women and their children, and orphans who have become too old to be in foster care (over 25 years). The adults actively work at the shelter growing vegetables, looking after animals and making handicrafts for sale. They suffered severe flood damage this past summer. IWCB donated a special heavy-duty washing machine (and only the person who is in charge of washing is allowed to touch it!). They highly appreciate our donation which is being used many times a day. As you can infer after reading Kirsten Wandel´s site visit reports, at the end of the trip we came away with a better understanding of the people behind the applications we receive, touched by their passion and dedication. IWCB plays an important part in helping those groups that neither have access to big sponsors nor receive sufficient government funding, as they often slip through the cracks. One much-needed item or a single donation, in the right place at the right time, makes such a big difference...

Thanks to all who made the Christmas Bazaar happen; next year the Charity Committee can continue to make good use of YOUR money! My gratitude goes to all the volunteers of the Charity Committee – Zuzana, Alenka, Anne, Debbie, Elena, Kirsten, Milena, and Viera – for their time, effort, and insight throughout this past year. I know we all share great satisfaction and pride in the work done on behalf of IWCB.
Wishing you all a joyful holiday season,
Diana