This year's Christmas Charity collection - Mimo domov

Imagine you've just turned 18 and have your whole life in front of you. There are so many places to go, but all the doors are locked. It would be so easy to unlock just one of them - but no-one gave you the keys. Well, that's how kids from children's homes and orphanages feel when, on their 18th birthday, they have to leave and find their own way in the world.

Every year about 1,000 children leave children's homes or orphanages in the Czech Republic without knowing where to or what will happen with their lives. And it's not just that there's no place for them - they don’t have anybody to go to either to ask for help or advice. The state looks after these kids till they turn 18, but then suddenly there's a black hole, and more often than not, children can end up on the street.

This is where 'Mimo domov' comes in. The organization acts as a practical coach, mentor or guide to help children understand and prepare for life 'on the outside'. 

This year, Prague College has decided to help these kids by collecting money for the Mimo Domov organization. To help achieve this goal, we are asking everyone at Prague College to make a donation - 200 crowns is the suggested amount, but please give anything you can afford.

Mimo domov organizes courses and workshops focusing on integrating children from children's homes into society as part of a programme called Život nanečisto. Members of 'Mimo domov' visit children's homes personally and try to prepare children/teenagers for leaving their institutions.

Each year, Mimo domov organizes the 'Out of Home' Festival where children from 26 children’s homes and orphanages from the whole Czech Republic can meet.

During the festival programme, organizers and volunteers engage with kids in a fun way to motivate them, give them better self-confidence, and point out activities that will be important for them in the future life.

There are also presentations of various professions and part-time jobs that kids probably didn’t know existed, and meetings with interesting personalities.  There are games and contests that let kids understand what it's like to win but also to cope with their feelings when they lose. The main goal of the festival is to show kids support and also raise public awareness of the problems with integrating these children after they leave their institutions.