About

The BUDDY program supports children and young people who cannot grow up with their own families. BUDDY steps in to complement the foster care system for children and young people.

BUDDY is about a relationship that heals and teaches children to trust adults again. When children spend time with their volunteer, they can build a relationship based on trust, and at the same time they gain support to help them reach their full potential.

THE CURRENT SITUATION

It is a human right for a child to grow up “in a family environment, in an atmosphere of happiness, love and understanding” (UNHCR, 1989). Yet almost 3,500 children in Slovakia do not grow up with their families but in centres for children and families (formerly "children's homes"). They have many traumatic experiences from their biological families, and institutional care cannot give them what they need the most: a close relationship with an adult who spends time with them and is not paid to do so. After they leave the centres they often live on the edge of society.

OUR SOLUTION

BUDDY finds, selects and connects volunteers with children from centres. Volunteers are keen to continuously develop and grow. In their meetings with the child they provide the most valuable resource of all: their time. Like this, a healthy, trusting and long-term relationship can gradually grow between them. This relationship provides the basis for meeting the individual needs of the child and supports them while they find their place in society.

Documents: 
ANNUAL REPORT 2017