Unlike Children from Children’s Home When They Turn Eighteen, I didn’t Have To Look For a Home. I was already home.

She’s traveled halfway around the world—visiting the Caribbean, the Maldives, and America. As a lawyer, she navigated a tumultuous period of workoholism. But life has a way of reminding us of what truly matters: time.  Now, she devotes hers to her husband, her dog, and a young girl from a children’s home named Andrejka. To her, Andrejka is a friend, a sister, or even a mother figure—whatever the moment requires. Jana Fedáková is her BUDDY volunteer.

I hop on trolleybus number 71, heading for the neo-Gothic Jakabov Palace. The ride takes me back to my student days, when I carried my schoolbag here for early morning classes. Today, though, I hold a leash instead of books. My little black shelter dog, Molly, rides along beside me. When I arrive, the striking palace looms ahead. Scanning the area, I wonder which passerby might be Janka.

Dog Owners Know Each Other

My eyes land on a woman in a light pink coat, red sneakers, and a black cap. Her dark hair flows casually, and a small, light-colored dog trots happily at her side without a leash. She catches my gaze, nods warmly, smiles, and starts toward me.

We greet each other with a hug, and the conversation quickly shifts to a shared surprise: our dogs.

“What’s her name?” Janka asks, crouching to pet my nervous black mutt.
“Molly,” I reply.
“What? My dog is Molly too!” she exclaims, pointing to her furry companion. We burst into laughter as the dogs sniff each other, tails wagging.
And just like that, our walk—now a double dog walk—begins.

Second Chances

We stroll through the newly renovated city park, where Janka and her Molly are regulars.
“I work nearby, so we’re here every day. Andrejka and I sometimes come here too,” she says.

Her face softens as she glances at her dog. “My husband and I adopted her as a skinny, scared five-month-old puppy from a shelter. She had terrible separation anxiety—biting doors, scratching walls, howling. So, I started taking her to work with me. She’s my friend. A part of our family,” Janka says, stopping to greet other dogs and their owners.

For Better or Worse

The conversation turns to Janka’s involvement in the BUDDY Program, where she’s been paired with Andrejka, a young woman from a children’s home, for several months.

“I first heard about it on TV,” she says, recalling a commercial that struck a chord. “It showed a man spending time with a young boy—taking him on outings, sharing laughs, even having arguments but reconciling afterward. They experienced everything together. The point was clear: time.”

Inspired, Janka applied to the program and underwent a rigorous selection process, including interviews and psychodiagnostic evaluation.

“Many people dropped out. Some thought it was a one-time good deed. But the BUDDY Program isn’t about quick fixes. It’s about committing months, even years, to a child. That’s why the coordinators were so thorough in vetting us,” she explains.

Once again, she lingers on the word: time.

Time and Loss

Janka’s voice softens as she talks about her parents.

“My mother was everything to me. My sister and I would come home from school, and she’d make coffee and listen to us—every single word,” Janka recalls with a wistful smile. “She always had time for us.”

Her tone grows heavier. “When I was thirty, my mother passed away. Within three years, I lost my father and two other loved ones. Suddenly, I felt a profound loneliness. There was no one to call, no one to share my day with. I had so much time, but no one to spend it with.”

Her dog, Molly, interrupts the melancholy with an enthusiastic sniffing expedition.

“She’s a professional root digger,” Janka jokes, brightening. “If you need your garden weeded, she’s your girl!” We laugh together, the moment lightened.
“Six years later, Andrejka came into my life,” Janka says, pausing to take a deep breath.

Friendship from the First Moment

"Andrejka and I connected right away. It felt as if we’d known each other forever," Janka recalls, her tone softening with emotion. "She’s incredibly communicative, curious, and empathetic," she says, listing Andrejka’s qualities with enthusiasm.

It’s clear Janka genuinely cares for the young girl who has been in a children’s home since elementary school, suddenly losing regular contact with her family.

At their first meeting, Janka came prepared. She brought markers and coloring books, rehearsing questions and conversation topics beforehand. But her meticulous planning proved unnecessary.

"With the support of two psychologists and the BUDDY Program coordinator, Andrejka, a little girl with big, fearful eyes, walked into the room," Janka remembers vividly. "But everything unfolded naturally—like meeting a friend. When it’s genuine, you don’t need to think about what to ask or say."

As Janka shares her memories, her personality comes alive in the little details—like a zebra-shaped brooch on her coat and a delicate bracelet on her wrist.

She notices my gaze and explains, pointing to the bracelet, "Andrejka and I tied these on our wrists during our first meeting. I bought them so we’d always have something to bind us together—something just for us," she says, her smile both sly and sweet.

Healing Together

While my dog Molly runs excitedly in circles, Janka watches with amusement. "She’s got a good nose, just like a springer," Janka says, laughing as Molly bounds toward us. But when Janka tries to pet her, Molly shies away.

"Bad memories are hard to erase," I explain apologetically.
"That's okay. I don’t let strangers pet me either," says Janka casually, winks at the scruffy little dog, stands up, and we briskly continue walking.

Together We Conquer the World

Janka visits Andrejka weekly. Their time together is filled with discovery and simple joys.

They walk through parks with Molly, share long conversations, and comb each other’s hair. Together, they’ve explored the thrill of go-karting, the sparkle of Christmas markets, and the art of paying at self-service checkouts. They’ve practiced ordering food at restaurants, leaving tips, and venturing into nature and cinemas.

"Andrejka has grown so much since we first met," Janka says proudly. "She’s slowly but surely blossoming. It’s hard to believe this is the same little girl with those big, scared eyes."

Andrejka puts thought into every meeting, preparing drawings and stories from her week to share with Janka. She even asks in advance what Janka plans to wear so they can coordinate.

"I’m incredibly grateful for the time I spend with her. Even on days when work leaves me tired or irritated, she lifts my spirits. With her, I forget my worries and focus completely on her," Janka says with warmth.

Who will help me? Where will I go?

 But like the BUDDY Program’s TV ad, not every day is perfect.

Janka often feels helpless after returning home from their meetings.

"The hardest time is Christmas," she admits, her voice heavy. "I remember bringing a Christmas cake to Andrejka and the other children at the home. They were sitting around the tree, like little mushrooms, quietly soaking in the festive atmosphere. They had everything they needed—food, gifts—but not family. That image will forever stay with me."

Her voice falters. A golden retriever bounds up to us, seeking affection. Janka crouches to stroke the dog, and for a moment, the heaviness lifts.

Later, she shares another moment that struck her deeply.

"One day, Andrejka asked me where I went when I turned eighteen. I didn’t understand at first, but then it hit me—turning eighteen means something entirely different for children in care. While I stayed home at eighteen, they have to find a new one," she says, shaking her head as if trying to dispel the thought..

Love Without Definition

For Janka, the most important thing is to offer Andrejka a sense of security and safety.

"I want to be there for her whenever she needs me," she says. "She’s found her place in my life. Sometimes she’s like a child, sometimes a sister or a friend. I don’t define our relationship—it depends on what we’re experiencing in the moment. But one thing is certain: it’s not bound by time. I didn’t commit for a few months or even a year. The more time I can spend with her, the better."

A Bittersweet Goodbye

Molly and Janka’s Molly are visibly tired from the miles we’ve walked. We’ve crisscrossed the park at least five times. It’s time to say goodbye and return home.

But as we part ways, I feel a sense of warmth and hope. Janka’s commitment to Andrejka—and the unspoken bond they share—reminds me of the profound impact one person can have on another’s life.

 

The name Andrejka was intentionally fabricated to protect the privacy of a minor.

Author: Simona Lučkaničová

Photographs: Tomáš Lazorik