The Story of Four Siblings

One day, four children came through the doors of Klokánek: a six-year-old girl, two boys aged eight and twelve, and their big brother Matej, fourteen. They were inseparable - protecting each other fiercely. Their love for their mother was clear, and the separation from her was heartbreaking.

On the surface, it looked like their mother, drowning in alcoholism, had simply neglected them. But the truth was far heavier. A little over a year earlier, their father had taken his own life - and it was their mother who found him. Not long after, she lost her own mother, the last close relative she had. Shattered by grief, she began drinking more and more until she could no longer cope.

“I had to take care of everything,” Matej told us. “I stopped going to school, worked odd jobs to earn money. But I couldn’t do it all. Mom locked herself in her room, and we were scared we’d never see her again.”

At Klokánek, the children were exemplary. They helped the caregivers, made up for lost school time, and never stopped worrying about their mother. It was clear that unless she sought treatment, the children would end up in long-term care. So we talked with her, encouraged her, stood by her. Finally, she agreed to enter intensive rehab.

We promised the kids could visit her every two weeks, even though the journey took an hour and a half. She held them tightly each time, slowly finding her way back to life. Meanwhile, the children began to smile again, joined clubs, and started to believe in a future for their family.

When her treatment ended, it was obvious they needed a new home. Together, we secured a social apartment. Their mother proved she was ready to take responsibility. After a month of trial weekends, the long-awaited day arrived - the children went home for good.

More than five years have passed since then. The family is still together. The kids are thriving, and their mother not only cares for them but even volunteers at Klokánek, helping other children with their schoolwork.

Their story shows that even out of the deepest pain, hope can grow - if a family gets the chance to start again.