Our BUDDY Friendship Has No Final Destination
Lukáš Poláček lives in Bratislava and has been working in the corporate world for more than fifteen years. For the past seven years, he has been part of the BUDDY program, which pairs adults with children from children’s homes to create lasting friendships. Lukáš has been meeting regularly with Peter, a seventeen-year-old from a children’s home, and sees him as a friend—simply his BUDDY.
It’s a pleasant early spring evening. I meet Lukáš in Bratislava’s Janko Kráľ Garden. Standing before me is an elegantly dressed, tall man with glasses, resembling a British actor whose name escapes me.
As we walk briskly through the park, I quickly realize that my 165 cm frame and short legs will be working overtime to keep up. By the end of this walk, I’ll surely hit my daily step goal twice over!
Everything Has Its Time
Lukáš tells me he works in business and marketing, is happily married, and has a dreamy three-year-old son waiting for him at home.
“The pandemic helped us,” he admits with a slight blush. “I stopped traveling for work, and my wife and I found more balance in life. It gave us the chance to fulfill something we’d dreamed of for years—having a child after forty.”
When he talks about his son, his eyes light up. He shares how much he cherishes spending time with him and the joy the little boy has brought to his life.
Curious, I ask if his participation in the BUDDY program had anything to do with his desire to become a father.
He shakes his head. “Not at all. I learned about the program by chance, hearing about it on the radio. At work, we’d already done various CSR projects, like tree-planting or painting fences, but none of them really resonated with me. The BUDDY program intrigued me because it offered the chance to mentor a young person who hadn’t had an easy start in life.”
We Met, and It Clicked
After a six-month selection process, Lukáš was paired with Peter, then an eleven-year-old who had recently moved into the children’s home.
I ask if Lukáš felt overwhelmed by the responsibility or time commitment of building such a relationship.
“I wouldn’t say I was afraid,” he says thoughtfully. “Friendships don’t come with an expiration date, even in the ‘real’ world.”
Their first meeting, however, wasn’t without nerves. Lukáš didn’t have much experience with children of that age. A weekend bonding trip organized by the BUDDY program helped break the ice.
One activity in particular stands out in Lukáš’s memory: a city game that involved collecting clues by engaging strangers in conversation. “I was dreading it! I couldn’t imagine stopping strangers on the street to ask how their day was. But while I was still fretting about it, Peter, who’d wandered off, was already chatting with a couple nearby and excitedly beckoning me to join them. His spontaneity and authenticity completely won me over.”
A Friendship for Life
From that first meeting, Lukáš eagerly looked forward to spending time with Peter. They began meeting regularly, talking, and doing various activities together.
“It was important to build trust from the start. I wanted Peter to know I was there for him—someone he could call anytime, about anything. Our friendship doesn’t have a final destination. It’s about the journey.”
Their shared love for sports kept them active: jumping at trampoline parks, cycling, playing football and basketball, kayaking, and going on walks. They’ve also spent holidays and Christmas together, talking about life’s challenges—from navigating relationships to handling conflicts.
“I wanted to show him the world outside the children’s home, to inspire him with different ways relationships and friendships work.”
Head Against the Wall
School was a recurring challenge. Lukáš tried to motivate Peter to perform better in his studies. “We’d study together until I hit the limit of my own math skills,” Lukáš laughs. “I was completely lost!”
Over time, he realized that his focus on school and results was becoming counterproductive. “I learned that my role wasn’t to push him but to support him. I’m his friend, not his teacher.”
A similar dynamic emerged when Peter wanted to study barbering in secondary school. Lukáš initially tried to steer him toward technical schools but later realized the importance of supporting Peter’s dreams. “He’s now 17, with a skill he loves and excels at. I’m so proud of him and glad he followed his own path.”
A Safe Harbor
We pause on a bench, giving my tired legs a break. I ask how having Peter in his life has impacted him.
For the first time, Lukáš is silent. He gazes at the trees, deep in thought.
When he speaks, his words are deliberate. “It’s made me realize how crucial it is to create a home and sense of security for my son. A child needs to know they’re loved and supported, especially when they stumble or fail.”
With Peter, Lukáš has always tried to provide that same sense of safety. “He’s older now, but I hope he knows I’m here for him, no matter what. Even if he makes mistakes, I want him to feel he can call me, and we’ll work through it together.”
Whenever He Needs Me
As we part ways, I can’t help but marvel at the strength of their bond. It’s clear that their BUDDY friendship isn’t just about mentoring or guidance—it’s about trust, respect, and a deep, mutual commitment to each other’s lives.
The name Peter was intentionally fabricated to protect the privacy of a minor.
Author: Simona Lučkaničová
Photographs: Paulína Ščepková