Betka visits her mother occasionally—during the holidays, for a few days. But her real home is in a children's home.
She once wanted to be a veterinarian, studied biology, and now works in a multinational company. She’s always been drawn to the world of volunteering. She helped clean up her housing estate, planted trees, and even financially supported a student in India from afar. But her desire to selflessly help and share her world fully blossomed in the BUDDY program. For two years now, she has been meeting with a thirteen-year-old girl from a children’s home, Betka, who sees her as an older sister, a friend—simply her BUDDY. This is Lenka Remeteiová’s story.
Lenka and I meet on the embankment in our hometown of Košice. On one side, the Hornád River roars; on the other, there’s a lake of the same name. Sporty cyclists and scooter riders zigzag between children on bouncers and pensioners walking their dogs.
Lenka chose this place on purpose. She and Betka often walk here, sharing intimate secrets and rare moments that unite two friends from different worlds, but the same city.
When Superlatives Aren’t Enough
At the first snack stand, we grab coffee.
I hand Lenka a phone with a recording app and jump straight to the first question.
I ask how she would describe Betka so that I can imagine her better. So that, at least in my mind, she could join us on this walk.
“Betka is a very energetic and clever little girl,” Lenka exclaims in a typical Košice accent without much hesitation, then pauses. “Wait, let me think this through,” she corrects herself. “I don’t want to use ordinary adjectives because she’s such an extraordinary child,” she says with conviction, taking a deep breath before continuing.
“Betka is unique.
Wise.
Clever.
Playful.
Mature.
Beautiful.
Simply an amazing girl who won me over from the very first meeting,” the words flow out of her like she’s reading from a book. She smiles. I don’t even have to look at her—you can hear the smile in every word she says.
Different Lives
I ask about Betka’s family.
Lenka’s tone changes, becoming more serious. Her speech slows, and so does her stride.
I learn that thirteen-year-old Betka has both parents but has spent nearly her entire life in a children’s home with her siblings.
“Betka visits her mother occasionally—for the holidays, for a few days. But her real home is in a children’s home,” Lenka adds solemnly.ň
Lenka, on the other hand, comes from a different world. Her parents have been happily married for over 37 years.
“They’re the best parents I could ever wish for. They gave me love, trust, and the feeling that I can always turn to them whenever I need to,” she says, her voice trembling slightly. “I get emotional every time I talk about them,” she apologizes.
“When my brother and I were kids, they talked with us a lot—and with each other. That’s stayed with us to this day. My mom remembers everything I’ve ever told her: all the moments of my life, all the names, and experiences,” Lenka says, her eyes glistening.
She suddenly starts reminiscing about her childhood: playing handball from the age of ten, her parents traveling to every match, cheering loudly from the front row.
“Watching us at the start of our sports career must have been absolutely terrifying. We didn’t know the proper rules, couldn’t even pass the ball properly. It kept slipping out of our hands, the game was slow and almost boring—or comical. One of us would run this way, another would run the complete opposite direction,” Lenka says, laughing. I laugh with her, picturing clumsy but determined young athletes.
“And my parents sat there in the stands, cheering us on, even when we lost 1:52 to Michalovce,” she adds, wiping a tear of laughter from her cheek.
Building Relationships
Lenka acknowledges how fortunate she was in her family and friendships. During the critical teenage years that shape a person’s character, she was surrounded by close friends. They were a team, on and off the field, and their friendship has lasted for over 20 years.
They shared happiness, laughter, and fun but also supported each other through tougher times, wiping away tears when needed.
“I truly understand that having a loving family and sincere friendships isn’t something to take for granted. Because I built meaningful relationships growing up, I feel a need to share that and pay it forward. I want to be as good a friend to someone as my friends and family were to me. Because people are social creatures, and we all need to feel like we belong,” she says, her face glowing with determination.
A Perfect Match
Lenka met Betka for the first time two years ago. "I still remember what she was wearing and how she looked at me in those first moments," she recalls with a touching tone in her voice.
It seems they clicked immediately, like sisters.
Apparently, from the first moment, they clicked like two sisters. The work of psychologists and employees of the BUDDY program is behind the entire process of connecting children from children’s homes with adult volunteers.
“I’m an extrovert who loves nature and socializing. If I were paired with an introvert who paints, I probably wouldn’t understand their world as well. But Betka and I are very similar—active, optimistic. We’re simply a perfect match,” she says joyfully in her strong Košice accent.
"If I’m telling you so much about Betka, I might as well show her to you, right?" she quickly picks up her phone. She opens an album of favorite photos filled with hundreds of shared memories.
From a trip to the Tomášovský view.
From Betka's birthday party. "I made her an album of our photos together."
From playing badminton.
From a Mexican restaurant. "She kept asking me what tacos were, so I took her there to try them."
From eating ice cream.
From Christmas markets and baking gingerbread. "She often bakes at home. I think she did better than me!"
From cycling.
From a trip to Rankovské skaly. "That was such a terrible winter."
From walks along this very embankment.
From skating. "See how much she’s changed? In the first photo, she looks like such a little kid, and here—oh my goodness, doesn’t she seem so much older?"
From mini-golf.
From the cinema. "Can you believe she’d never been to the cinema before? I gave her this mega first experience. Big popcorn, big Coke."
From a festival.
From a backyard barbecue.
From a table with a letter from Betka. "She loves writing me letters full of gratitude because she knows they always touch me. The moment I see her holding a piece of paper, tears come to my eyes. I keep every single one of her letters."
As the photos flash before my eyes, Lenka pauses here and there, remembering and smiling.
"Look how much we look alike. Here, she’s wearing the same t-shirt and glasses as me. Clean look, no?" She shows me a selfie, and I nod in agreement. Their resemblance surprises me.
Time
Lenka puts down her phone and apologizes for getting carried away.
I don’t mind at all.
On the contrary, I appreciate the opportunity to observe the enthusiasm and love Lenka has for Betka.
Lenka tells me she keeps a detailed journal of every meeting with Betka. "For my own satisfaction, I want to remember all the details of our friendship," she adds, and I smile at her.
I don’t know if she realizes how much she already resembles her mom.
After all the memories and photos she’s shared, I wonder aloud what she had to give up in her own life to dedicate herself to Betka regularly.
"Scrolling through social media," she says with a laugh.
We both laugh.
"The three hours I spend with Betka each week aren’t much at all. What’s important is organizing work and free time well, sacrificing something, and stepping out of your comfort zone. Plus, giving someone your undivided attention—being fully present in the moment—is the most valuable thing, isn’t it?" she says with conviction.
I ask what else she gives Betka besides her time.
"Everything," she answers without hesitation, in her typical, kind manner.
"I give her my support,
a space to express her opinions and feelings about intimate things, relationships, boys,
opportunities to think about new ideas,
chances to have new experiences,
and love. I always tell her how much I love her and care about her."
Lenka absolutely glows as she speaks.
I watch the love and devotion in every word she says.
I ask about the highlights of their relationship.
Her response surprises me with its honesty and simplicity.
"There isn’t a single moment I’d call the highlight. I try to spend quality time with Betka in every moment. But sometimes I feel she’s happiest when we’re doing the most ordinary things together, like grocery shopping and chatting. So, the best shared experience isn’t really about the activity—it’s the moment she confides in me, sharing her feelings and inner world," she says.
When the Stars Align
She falls silent for a moment.
It’s getting dark, so I slowly bring our conversation to a close.
We walk back to the car. I jokingly tell her I’ve wrung her dry.
"Exactly," she surprises me with her quick wit. "That was complete brain athletics," she says, laughing loudly.
I ask if we forgot anything important.
"I’m not entirely satisfied with my answers. I could have said things more eloquently," Lenka responds unexpectedly.
But simply put, Betka is absolutely amazing.
"When I was her age, I wasn’t half as great as she is.
Maybe it’s because of the challenges she’s faced in her short life.
And maybe I’m idealizing her.
But in my eyes, she’s a star."
The name Betka was intentionally fabricated to protect the privacy of a minor.
Author: Simona Lučkaničová
Photographs: Tomáš Lazorik