22.08.2014: 20 years of Women’s Refuge of the Kolping Society in Prague

A refuge for women in distress – the Kolping House in Prague celebrated its 20 years of existence. The Swiss President of the Kolping Society of Europe, Mrs Margrit Unternährer, participated in the celebrations. This is her report:

Mothers and their children who are exposed to the threat of violence are accommodated temporarily at the Kolping House in Prague. Whilst they are staying there, they receive advice and accompaniment by experienced social workers as to how they might deal with their children in that situation. The women also receive occupational training in the IT sector, in stitching and cooking as well as in garden work. Since its foundation in 1994, 150 mothers and their children have found a home in the Kolping Women’s Refuge. It enjoys a high reputation in the city of Prague for its commitment for women with little children and its social work.

The 20th anniversary of the Kolping Women’s Refuge was celebrated in a simple ceremony on the 20th August. In the presence of delegates from the Diocesan Kolping Society of Dresden, Kolping Switzerland and lots of former residents who had come with their children, Jana Zemanova was honoured as founder and leader of the House. She is now reducing her occupational commitments and has already passed on the management to Mr Ciril Musil.

The idyllic scene is treacherous as the children and their mothers went through difficult times until they found shelter in the women’s refuge.