Vzájemné soužití o.p.s. / Life together NGO/ has been working with children, youths and adults in excluded localities of mainly Silesian part of Ostrava since 1998. About half of the employees are Roma. We work with and help people who find themselves in need or difficult situation (support in the field of education, housing, training, work, finance etc.).
Life together provides several registered social services (professional social, legal counselling, field work, 2 community centres for children and youths, service for endangered families with children), and also educational, preventive and other activities provided to the vulnerable and disadvantaged with the aim to eliminate the negative impacts of social exclusion.
Mixed teams of Hrušov and Liščina centres offer Roma children and youths a wide range of activities and events in locations and also outside, so that they may get out of the excluded environment and gain new skills, knowledge and experience.
In the field of education, we respect the basic human right of every child to equal opportunities (our organization stood at the birth of the so-called DH case vs. the Czech Republic). We run preschool clubs so that children from less stimulating backgrounds can enter kindergartens and schools with the necessary skills and have the same starting line as their peers. We provide tutoring for children and youths, communicate with schools, support students in the form of moral support, counselling, excursions, scholarships and motivation.
We support the development of needy/talented children in art schools, organize a summer camp, various lectures, realize preventive events like Stop drugs, we take kids to adventure events, trips, involve them in activities to improve and localities and centers, children perform at public performances or festivals, we organize excursions or internships of students of elementary, secondary schools, universities in our centers.
We support empowerment of people, try to support those who have the potential to further work with and motivate children, youth and the community.
Link to our annual reports: https://www.vzajemnesouziti.cz/file.php?nid=15768&oid=8273170
FB link
https://www.facebook.com/vzajemnesouzitiops
Examples of our projects
Supporting the integration of Ukrainian refugees (donation from the SOS Ukraine collection), subsidies for the provision of social services, EU funds (education, employment,..), individual projects to support children, pupils, students (scholarships, tuition fees at the Art school etc.), projects aimed at financial literacy, support for football teams, dancing groups, community-based projects etc.
Project team
Project coordinator – Simona Reichlová – 13 years of experience in leading and implementing various NGO projects (cultural, educational, cross-border etc.) mostly for disadvantaged children and youths (state, regional, municipal sources, Norway Grants etc.).
The team leader from Liščina children and youth centre Zdeněk Kroščen – 20 years of experience in leading the centre and its team – qualified to social work with children and youths. Zdeněk was once as a volunteer, he grew up in the locality. He has especially manual, sport and leadership skills, is a qualified camp leader. He knows well the community and has their trust and respect, he also serves as an inspiration to children and youths.
FB link https://www.facebook.com/nzdmkc.liscina, more info on our website https://www.vzajemnesouziti.cz/nizkoprahove-zarizeni-pro-deti-a-mladez–liscina
The team leader from Hrušov children and youth centre Eva Šuterová – years of experience with social work, qualified to work with children and youths, knowledge of the community. Manual, educational and leadership skills, qualified for the camp leader and basic medic course, inspiration for the community, children and youths, trust of local residents.
FB link https://www.facebook.com/nzdmkc.hrusov, more info on our website https://www.vzajemnesouziti.cz/nizkoprahove-zarizeni-pro-deti-a-mladez–hrusov
