Country Profile: Slovakia
Population: 5.5 Million
Children under the age of 18: 1 Million
Country situation:
Institutional care is no longer seen and supported as a solution for the situation of vulnerable children in Slovakia. The system of care for children went through transformation and so did the public awareness about the issue. Christian NGOs had an important and positive role in that process.
However the involvement of Christian families and the churches is very limited. According to research, a change of mindset and attitude of hearts is needed. The need for help, and to see a change in the situation of vulnerable children and families, is particularly critical in excluded communities. That is where a broadscale collaboration is needed the most.
Slovakia Without Orphans:
So far there is no WWO movement in Slovakia that includes churches, NGOs and governments to collaborate on behalf of vulnerable children. There is, however, a Slovakia without Orphans facilitation team meeting regularly, building connections, mapping the current situation, and praying. The team organized a round-table conversation in 2021, and plans to meet again to invite family based care champions, advocates and practitioners to explore how they can collaborate.
If you would like to participate in Slovakia without Orphans round-table and be part of the conversation, please get in touch:
Contact: Lubo Hlavacka Lubo.Hlavacka@worldwithoutorphans.org