The holiday season is a time of peace, reflection and gratefulness. I would like to express my deep gratitude to all of you – donors, supporters and the participants of our programs. Via Foundation’s work would not be possible without people who believe in the power of collaboration and connecting. Together, all of you enable hundreds of projects each year that help make life better in the Czech Republic and strengthen confidence, responsibility and democratic practices in our society.
Let me share with you four inspiring stories of people we have been privileged to support. I hope they bring you joy and hope during the holiday season.
ROMANA POTUŽNÍKOVÁ AND THE LODĚNICE STEAMBOAT
Romana Potužníková is an example of an everyday heroine, outside of the spotlight but shining in her own community. She lives in the village of Loděnice, where she co-founded a meeting space called the Loděnice Steamboat. It has become the centre of village life: mothers and children spend time there, people take English classes, join workshops, take part in fun quizzes, hang out in what is sometimes a café and sometimes a community pub. The village just wouldn't be the same without it. During the holiday season, the Steamboat and the frozen pond next to it are transformed into a place for holiday get-togethers, St Nicholas gifts and the joy of simply being together.
LUKÁŠ PULKO AND SOCCER FOR EVERYONE
Lukáš Pulko played soccer in the Czech first league until he was 18, when an injury ended his career. But then he found a new purpose through soccer. He founded the Mongaguá amateur soccer club for children in Krásný Březno, a housing estate that people refer to as an excluded area. In addition, with the support of Via Foundation donors, he opened a community centre with space for aspiring musicians and dance lessons. His dream is to build more playgrounds and soccer clubs for children who have fewer opportunities than most. He's succeeding, and today Mongaguá amateur soccer teams are springing up in other excluded localities, bringing children the fun, exercise, new friendships and a new direction in life. In many places, Lukáš has become a role model for young people.
KATKA KURZ AND THE CHANGE IN HORNÍ STROPNICE
Katka Kurz is a relative newcomer to Horní Stropnice, a small village in the remote Novohrady Mountains. With her drive and desire to change things for the better, she has begun to build trust with longstanding residents. She started up a summer cinema that has become a vibrant part of community life. People like her are changing villages and towns along the Czech borders for the better. She took part in Via Foundation's program Taking the Fear Out of Local Politics, which provides learning and mentoring opportunities for active citizens who want to go into local politics. She may soon be mayor of Horní Stropnice and turn it into a place where it is a joy to live.
KAMIL KAVKA AND THE POWER OF POSITIVE THINKING
Kamil Kavka writes one positive report about the town of Jesenik every day. His website positivJE shows that a lot of good things are happening there. Kamil is also the Via Foundation's liaison in the region. Working closely together, we organized an event in the summer where President Pavel met community leaders from remote regions of the Czech Republic. And when floods hit Jesenik in September, it was Kamil who called Via. As we talked, the plan crystalized: Via would set up fundraising drives for each flood-struck town in collaboration with their mayors. The next day the fundraising drives were up and running. In the days that followed, over 6,000 donors sent donations totaling CZK 20 million. Thanks to donors and people like Kamil, many flood-affected people in Jesenik will have hope this holiday season, knowing that there are people nearby who won't let them down.
Each of these vignettes is a reminder of the power of human will and determination to change the world around us. And if these stories resonate with you, please feel free to support them. Together, we can do even more.
Wishing you a wonderful holiday season,
Zdeněk Mihalco
Director, Via Foundation
