News

Visits to 4 Supported Projects

10/02/2009

In the third week of August, we decided to make use of the warm summer weather to visit four projects we supported through the ČSOB and the Poštovní spořitelny Grant Funds. These site visits were such a success, we would like to share with you our experiences.

Last Tuesday afternoon [please note: this was originally written on August 25th], we and our Singaporean intern Rachel travelled through picturesque villages to the Rousínov Conservation Area near Rakovnik. The Rousínov Civic Association organized, through the supported project "Together and Like," the "Symposium Rous" – a weekly social event at the Faflík family’s barn. Local citizens, people from nearby villages, and visitors from even more distant places had come there to attend an afternoon of craft workshops: learning to do egg decorations, woodcarving, and metal crafts. Anything you create you can take home with you. Martina was offered the chance to sit at the potter's wheel: she tried to make a pot, then a cup, which then turned into a smaller bowl. After a little more work at making it just right, Martina had something resembling original ceramic noodles which she then made into an interesting-looking candle-holder.

For those who weren’t as courageous as Martina at the potter’s wheel, there were booths selling products of skilled craftsmen. Thanks to the willingness of organizers, Mrs. Faflíkové and Mrs. Schäfferová, we checked out a former school building which the Civic Association would like to purchase and reconstruct. Events like this arranged by the Civic Association are not only encourage the social life in the village, but also to raise funds for the reconstruction of schools. Unfortunately, we had to leave before the evening cultural program in which concert and theater performances took place.

The former school building, future community center; Martina vs. the Potter’s Wheel

Chapel of Our Lady of Lourdes - Pekařova

Last weekend, we ventured a bit further from Prague - awaiting us were three projects in the Jeseník region [in northern Moravia]. On Friday night, we arrived at Pekařova, a tiny village in the hills with only a handful of permanent residents. In Pekařova, there also is a nicely renovated Shrine of the Virgin Mary whose restoration we supported in 2005 through the 333 Thousand Program funded by Philip Morris. The main objective of this visit was to attend the traditional pilgrimage to Pekařova to the heavily damaged Chapel of Our Lady of Lourdes, whose reconstruction will be funded by us through the ČSOB Grant Fund.

Wandering around Pekařova; re-consecrating the chapel

On Saturday morning, pilgrims from the nearby village of Velké Losiny were already waiting for us when we arrived at the chapel. The opening ceremony for the pilgrimage took place and the program consisted of a musical performance by a local organist, folk music, and traditional dances. In the afternoon, the small chapel was re-consecrated; it will be reconstructed using contemporary photographs of the original structure. On top of the hill which was filled with beautiful views and cherry trees, we met Father Milan, the local priest, Father Jiří, a representative of Olomouc Theological Seminary, Mr. Černohous, the main initiator of the repair, Mr. Peterka, a mason [involved in the project], and quite a few local and non-residents. The many attendees were interested not only in learning about the history of the place, but also in learning how they could lend a hand in the restoration of the chapel.

The Chapel above Písečná; the view is beautiful already!

The Brontosaurus Jeseníky Movement - Jeseník

The next day, we doubled back to the nearby town of Jeseník. The Brontosaurus Jeseníky Movement that the project "Jesenicko - The Way to Our Roots" plans to both restore the spring in the village Lipová Lazne and renovate the chapel in the village of Písečná. We met with Mr. Hradil, the project manager, to discuss the activities of the association and also the overall situation of non-profit sector in this "remote" part of our country. The overall picture is much better than we expected as they have been able to involve local people in public debates, volunteer work, or as administrator fixed sights. We then went together to inspect one of the monuments [that will be restored]. At the chapel on the hills above Písečná, there is a beautiful view of the surrounding countryside from due to the treeless hills. Despite the view, it is apparent that still much to be accomplished. Then back home to Prague. We’d had three full days of not only great experiences, but more importantly, a better sense of these successful projects. It was especially rewarding to see that even in small and out-of-the-way parts of the Czech Republic, there are still people who are willing to do something for their neighbors: those who galvanize public life in places which are seemingly frozen in time.

Gathering together as a community

Then back home to Prague. We’d had three full days of not only great experiences, but more importantly, a better sense of these successful projects. It was especially rewarding to see that even in small and out-of-the-way parts of the Czech Republic, there are still people who are willing to do something for their neighbors: those who galvanize public life in places which are seemingly frozen in time.

Rachel, Ondřej and Martina

Martina a Ondřej