Visiting Children’s Homes – Bács-Kiskun County Child Protection Center – June 2022

During our visit to Kecskemét, children from both the city’s and nearby children’s and residential homes gathered in the city center to meet with us and receive the donations. The Foundation’s contributions were distributed among the children and young adults living in the homes operated by the county’s child protection center. These included the Faragó Béla facilities (first and second), the Baja Services, the Dunavecse Services, and the Kecskemét Children’s Home.

The children were especially excited about the previously donated Teqball table, which they regularly use with their local trainer, appointed by the Foundation. They also participate in training sessions with the local club and even competed in the first GA Teqball Cup. This time, the children had the opportunity to choose which items they received, which included furniture and sofas, a washing machine, several televisions, a projector with a screen, laptops, and an Xbox gaming console with games.

According to the institution’s directors, there is an increasing need in the county to establish more children’s and residential homes due to the developmental needs of the children, their age at admission, and the strain on the foster care system. By law, children under the age of 12, pregnant minors, and disadvantaged families with children must be placed in foster care. Several foundations and church-affiliated organizations help provide residential care. The state-run county child protection services do not have their own foster care network. Since December 1, 2011, this form of care has been managed by religious organizations, most notably the Saint Ágota Child Protection Service, operated by

the Diocese of Szeged-Csanád. The SOS Children’s Village Foundation of Hungary, along with other smaller, mostly church-run providers, also contributes to this important work.