Child Sponsorship Background from Bystřice, Czech Republic

SOS Children's Village Chvalčov, near Bystřice

The SOS Children's Village Chvalčov is situated in Moravia, near the provincial towns of Bystřice and Kroměříž, 90 kilometres to the northeast of Brno. 

The children attend the primary school in Chvalčov and secondary schools in Bystřice.  Moravia is known for its beautifully wooded slopes and picturesque landscape; the nearby Walachian Mountains are perfectly suited for cross country skiing and hiking. 

Architecturally speaking, Chvalčov is a very attractive SOS Children's Village, with a particularly cosy and welcoming atmosphere.  The official opening ceremony took place in December 1973 in the presence of numerous honorary guests.

The SOS Children's Village Chvalčov consists of nine family houses, a community building, a workshop and a house for the SOS aunts, who support the SOS mothers and take care of the children when the SOS mothers are on leave.  A playground was built in the centre of the SOS Children's Village, which also has its own orchard and vegetable patch.

Youths who have already outgrown the SOS Children's Village move to the SOS Youth Home in Medlánky, where they can stay during their vocational training or higher education and prepare themselves for an independent life.

Background to Bystřice

Bystřice is a large village in the Frýdek-Místek District, Moravian-Silesian Region, Czech Republic.  It has a population of around 5,000, made up one nearly one third by Poles.  It lies between the Silesian and Moravian-Silesian Beskids mountain ranges, in the historical region of Cieszyn Silesia.  The Hluchová River flows to the Olza River in the village.