The refurbishment of the crisis centre for mothers, victims of violence and their children is the most visible investment into the project. It has been accomplished through the grant of Foundation Granvia; the photos taken before and after speak a million words.
The replacement of radiators, old windows, and sanitary equipment as well as beds, enabled the unit capacity increase by three hundred percent. The building given to the project leaders by the Town was also painted and the visible changes inspired other city representatives and the local community, to help with their own bit. Many brought unused furniture, kitchen equipment or books to decorate the common areas. Mothers with children thus found their refuge in decent and clean premises, in the lap of a beautiful small town surrounded by pristine nature offering solace and peace, albeit temporarily. The average stay of a client is 6 months. Under the supervision of the professional social workers, they can gain energy for a new beginning. Project Patron Mia Bajáková, helped the workers of CSS Krupina to mediate the cooperation with the Civic association, which provides the financial management courses. Such course is beneficiary especially for clients with lower level od education or lack of experience in finance. The project Protect Work got actively involved in the search of the suitable course.
Mia Bajáková: ,,Magical Krupina has its magical people. They are the employees and volunteers of the crisis centre, who undertook a demanding task of the refurbishing. I believe that the newly furnished environment will bring at least a small consolation to those, who will stay there. I strongly believe and hope that no one will have to remain there for too long and that the new beginning is close.‘‘
Divadlo z Pasáže (Theatre from the Passage) employs people with Down Syndrome; it’s truly a bighearted project, whose actors have been entertaining audiences from all over the world for more than a decade.
Foundation Granvia enabled the merry team of actors to build a rehearsal room, where they can practice their new sitcoms and comedies or improvise their ideas under the guidance of the professional directors and scriptwriters without disturbance. In order to focus more on their hometown of Banská Bystrica, Divadlo z Pasáže rushed into the new season with energy and enthusiasm and besides enjoying the new rehearsal room, the Theatre welcomed the public to their garden performances. Fun culture evenings throughout the summer gave the local audience a whole new experience. Patron of the project was Robert Kišš, who primarily invested his creative input.
Project Patron, Robert Kišš:
,,I was counting on the fact that for me it will be a contact with another dimension. And it was indeed. I met people with a rich and colourful inner world and with an original but mainly authentic expression. I am glad we could help to improve the conditions for theatrical work, which for them is also a therapy. I wish for them to be able to drag their spectators into their magical world for many long years. We agreed on the creation of a blog, so that they can even this way get closer to their audiences and eventually approach new ones.“
