THE MISSIONARY AND SCIENTIFIC PROJECTS
OF ST. ELIZABETH UNIVERSITY
(Bratislava, Slovakia)
I. St. Elizabeth University of Health and Social Work (the University)was founded in 2003 in Bratislava. At present, students from 13 countries study there. The University offers 69 study programmes in the field of Public Health; Social Work; Nursing; Missionary Work; Health Technology, etc. The University offers education in all three levels of higher education – Bachelor, Master and Doctoral level. The University has 43 science-pedagogical facilities in 20 countries of the world, and 11 facilities in Slovakia. Another two are in the Czech Republic (Pribram) and in the Republic of Serbia (BacskyPetrovac). One of these facilities is the Clinic of Tropical Diseases Phnom Penh in Cambodia where medical care is provided for orphans with AIDS and tuberculosis. There are also another health, humanitarian, social, charitable and missionary facilities in Ukraine, Cambodia, Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda, Sudan, Burundi, Nairobi and Haiti that are part of the University. Missionaries from Slovakia work there.
Within framework of the school, there are four specialized institutes (Institute of Missionary Work and Tropic Health, two Institutes of Social Sciences and Health and one Postgraduate Institute).
St. Elizabeth University was incorporated as a non-profit organization in Bratislava on October 7, 2002 in accordance with Act No. 213/1997 of the Legal Code as amended. St. Elizabeth University is registered as a non-profit organization providing generally beneficial services such as education, training, research, scientific and technical services, information services in the field of nursing and social work, provision of social help and humanitarian care. The primary objective of the non-profit organization is operation of the St. Elizabeth University of Health and Social Work. The long-term objective is the education of medical employees especially in the field of public health care and social work, nursing, physiotherapy, laboratory examination methods for domestic, state and church, as well as foreign catholic facilities and state and church social work facilities and missions abroad.
Article III of the By-laws further states that the organizationis active in the spirit of the Christian humanism with the Orientation on the basic principles of the Christian healthcareEthics and disseminates the message of St. Elizabeth, the nativeof Bratislava, to serve the sick and poor irrespective of therace, nationality and religious orientation. Apart from this, it also assumes the task to ensure the education, scientificupbringing and scientific research, as well as practical activities of the students, of the above-mentioned schoolin all three levels of the higher education. Guidance of the students of this school for higher education to the principlesof the Christian ethics and humanism, focusing on protectionof life from its conception until dignified natural death, thusmeeting the message of St. Elizabeth, the native of Bratislava,great personality of the European healthcare and social work.
Number of employees is over 250, number of students 9 066 and PhD students 256 (October 31. 2013).
The University supports and manages worldwide(2013) in 35 contries:
- 23 educational projects,
- 9 projects for infrastructure and development,
- 7 children´s homes with HIV treatment,
- 12 children´s homes and rehabilitation facilities for abandoned children,
- 23 clinics, hospitals, anti-malnutrition centres and other health institutions,
- 17 social work projects,
- 3 humanitarian projects and
- 3 another projects as well.
Activities of this relatively new private university could be nice example for the European Observatory of the contributions of social work and social development in building a ‘society for all’ in which individuals from rather small landlocked country play an active role in creationof a fair and just world. Social work practitioners, educators, students,managers and researchers of the St Elizabeth University want to share their experiences and practices on the theme “Promoting the Dignity and Worth of Peoples”. Multicultural experiences, solidarity, humanity and tolerance play a key role in the life of this school. All participants (educators, practitioners, students, volunteers) promote social change and development, social cohesion, and the empowerment and liberation of people. Like in the new definition principles of social justice, human rights, collective responsibility and respect for diversities are central to the University efforts. University projects and programs fully engage people and structures to address life challenges and enhance wellbeing locally with global view.
II. Short list of the University projects and program that far overreach strictly studying program of the school:
Vietnam
- St Andrew Dung - Lac Orphanage, Hanoi
Centre offers shelter, education a care for abandoned children at the age of 3 to 18. Realization by Blue Dragon (Australia) with the University support. Established in 2008.
- Thien An Children´s Home in Mekong River Delta
Private orphanage, founded by two Vietnamese women, Catholics, Mary and Rosa. Home offers care with the University support to 56 children at the age of 8 to 15 years, but there are also new-borns and children up the age of 21.
- HIV Positive Orphans Aid, Ho Chi Minh City
Complex care in children´s home combined with education in self-support. Realization by Pastoral Care Committee with the University support. Founded in 2011.
Cambodia
- House of Smile - therapeutic home for children with HIV/AIDS, Phnom Penh
Accommodation, social care, HIV/AIDS treatment of 30 orphans, semi-orphans, aid to family members. Implemented by the University and Slovak NGO “Two-coloured World”. Privately sponsored since 2006.
- House of Family. St Maximilian Kolbe Clinic, Phnom Penh
Accommodation, social care, HIV/AIDS treatment to 47 orphans and semi-orphans, aid to family members. Implemented by the University and Slovak NGO “Two-coloured World”. Sponsored by the University since 2003.
- Bl Peter PavolGojdic HIV/AIDS Children´s Clinic, Sihanoukville
Accommodation, social care, HIV/AIDS treatment of 30 orphans, semi-orphans, aid to family members. Implemented and sponsored by the University since 2009.
- House of Family I. for children with HIV/AIDS, Sihanoukville
Accommodation, social care, HIV/AIDS treatment of 30 orphans, semi-orphans, aid to family members. Implemented by the University and Slovak NGO “Two-coloured World” since 2008. Sponsored by the University and private foundation.
- House of Family II., Sihanoukville
Accommodation, social care, HIV/AIDS treatment of 10 orphans, semi-orphans, aid to family members. There are adult children trained to be fully self-existent. Implemented and sponsored by the University since 2011.
- Adoption in Cambodia
Collection of finance from Slovak families for children treatment houses, House of Family, House of Smile in Cambodia to allow children to start new life. Supported by the University and individual and realized jointly with NGO. Started in 2008.
10. KomarChlad(Smart Children) Andong School Project, Phnom Penh
Intervention in access to education for poor and neglected children from slum Andong in the capital. Social and health counselling. Implemented and sponsored by the University since 2008.
Palau
11. Dental care, Koror
Education and prevention of the children´s oral health in schools and kindergartens, training of medical staff in less difficult dental treatment. Implemented and sponsored by the University since 2012.
India
12. Manvi Anti-Malnutrition Program, Karnataka State
Protection against malnutrition. 150 children obtain dry milk and oat porridge. Parents are educated in health nutrition, processing and cooking. Implemented and sponsored by the University since 2012.
13. Nava Sanidhya Children´s Home, Bijapur, Karnataka State
Complex social and health care for 27 HIV positive orphans. Supported by the University and Society of Jesus and Sisters of St John from Cluny. Implemented by Sisters since 2009.
14. Monsoon Children – aid to street children, Bombay
Informal and basic care for abandoned children (nutrition, heath care, sanitary necessities, books, shoes). Supported by the University (since 2013) and Society of Jesus and Sisters of St John from Tarbes. Implemented by Sisters since 1984.
15. Enforcement of poor young people in Dilli slums.
Social and training program. Young uneducated unemployed people obtain possibility of training and skills to better find the job. Basic education support for school attending children. Supported by the University and Society of Jesus, India. Implemented by Society since 2013.
16. St Joseph Hospital, Bijapur, Karnataka State
Health care for HIV positive and others patients, mobile clinic in around villages. Help to in regular facilities discriminated HIV positive people. Supported by the University (since 2014)and Sisters of St. John of Tarbes. Implemented by Sisters since 2005.
- Loyola Health Centre, JagirPannur, Karnataka State
Health care, ambulant treatment and clinical beds, mobile clinic in surround villages. Health care offered to peasants form the lowest castes. Supported by the University (since 2012) and Sisters of St John of Tarbes. Implemented by Sisters since 2009.
- Education support to children in India, Manvi, Karnataka State
Education project. Children from the lowest caste obtain, thank to Slovak help, possibility to attend schools. Individual support possibility for sponsor people and possibility to be in contact with child. Supported by individual people and the University. Implemented by Society of Jesus and Slovak NGO “Road to Home” since 2011.
Myanmar
19. Engineering facilities for typhoon victims
Building of infrastructure. Myanmar suffers from typhoon in 2008 with 100,000 victims and 500,000 homeless. Local Jesuits and engineers build electricity and water supply in damaged areas. Main sponsor is the University. Implemented by St Ignatius Res. Institute, Society of Jesus.
20. Virgin Mary Auxiliatrix Health Centre building, Oon-Pyin
Constructing of the structure in north east of Myanmar where shortage of health facilities is. Supported by the University. Implemented by Divine Heart Parish and Society of Don Bosco in Myanmar.
21. Water-supply building in remote parish, PiynOon
Building of water-supply infrastructure for 400 hundred peasants. Supported by the University. Implemented by the University and local parish priest (SDB).
22. St Joseph Convent for orphans, Mogok
Orphans and children hardly have possibility to attend school, but are working or are street children since 10-year age. The University finances shelter, nutrition and tuition for 15 orphans, which live in the convent. Implemented by Sisters of the Virgin Mary Auxiliatrix (SDB) and Sisters of St Joseph Magok.
23. Poor district youth education, Yangon
Children from poor district have limited possibilities for education. Jesuits and clerics with the University support visit children in slum and teach them English and informatics.
Philippines
24. Aid to typhoon victims
Infrastructure building. Destructive typhoon damaged in November 2011 several cities. Supported by the University for families which typhoon stricken. Implemented by Slovak NGO Magna and Slovak Catholic Charity.
Kyrgyzstan
25. 26. St Francis Social Service, Bishkek and Talas
Food and fuel supply aid poor people. Social and health help for socially disabled 54 families in Bishkek and 40 in Talas. Supported by the University and School Sisters of St Francis. Implemented by Sisters since 2012.
Kazakhstan
27. Day Care Centre for homeless, Almaty
Day care centre visit 150 homeless people that receive food, basic health care. The aim is resocialization. Sponsored by the University. Implemented by School Sisters of St Francis since 2010.
28. Foster Home, Kapchigaj
Home cares the orphans and neglected children of drug addict parents. The number of children there is 40. Supported by the University and Slovak parish in Kapchigaj. Implemented by the parish since 2012.
Armenia
29. Aid for handicapped children Yerevan and Spitak
Each year two students jointly with sisters of Missionaries of Charity care about handicapped children in two Armenian cities. Sponsored by the University since 2004.
Ukraine
30. St Elisabeth Foster Home, Seredne
Offering home, care and love for abandoned children. Foster home offers education and care for children and cooperate with their families. Sponsored by the University and Slovak NGO “Smile as a Gift”. Realized by the University students, NGO and Society of Jesus since 2006.
Russian Federation
31. Karitas, aid to handicapped groups, Omsk
Centre offers spiritual and material aid (food, cloth, eatery, and club) to poor people, children, disabled, HIV positive, prisoners, TBC patients, victims of natural disasters without care to nationality, gender or religion. Supported by Karitas Omsk. Implemented by the University since 2012.
32. St Francis Homeless People Shelter, Usurijsk
Social work with homeless, food support, health care and shelter for 36 people. Supported by the University and St Francis Congregation, Korea. Implemented by Congregation since 2012.
33. Youth Centre, Ryazan
Social work. Aid and counselling for youth and young families threatened by alcoholism, drugs and family problems. Supported by the University student and cleric.
Syria
34. Humanitarian aid to victims of civil war
The University supports and realizes the humanitarian aid in the country in cooperation with Slovak Catholic Charity.
Lebanon
35. St Charles de Foucalt Health and Social Centre, Beirut
Health, material and social aid to refugees from Iraq and Syria. Service is offered to 60 families (350 people) is socially disabled conditions. Supported and implemented by the University since 2009.
Yemen
36. Mobile school (in bus), Sanaa
Education project. English and informatics lessons in bus travelling through remote parts of the country. Supported and realized by the University.
Liberia
37. May´s Meals – food for poor children in schools, Monrovia
Humanitarian aid (food) in schools to attract poor children to education. Supported by the University (for 10,000 students). It is part of the Scottish aid realized in 20 countries by May´s Meals Glasgow.
Kenya, Serbia, Cambodia
38. 39. 40. Graduate social work education in abroad. Nairobi in Kenya (2006), BacskyPetrovac in Serbia (2008), Phnom Penh in Cambodia (2008)
Bachelor and master degree social work education with stress on public health care offers possibility for locals to obtain knowledge and experiences. Supported by the University. Implemented in cooperation with the Slovak Mission in Nairobi “Hope for Sick and Poor”, The Catholic University of Eastern Africa in Kenya and Khemarak University in Cambodia.
Romania, Germany, Czech Republic
41. 42. 43. 44. Graduate social work education in abroad. Nadlak andGemelcicka (Fagetu) in Romania (2009), Weissenfels in Germany, Pribram in Czech Republic (2011)
Social work bachelor education abroad in cooperation with local schools. Supported and implemented by the University.
Kenya
45. Improved access to university education for socially disabled groups, Nairobi
Project support access to university education for social disable people in Kenya. Offers study free of charge for 33 students in bachelor degree in social work with focus on public health in capital city. Project also helps 2000 children with malnutrition in Nairobian slums. Basic part of the project is support of gender equality by the form of training and material aid for 840 members of the community. 24bachelors finished study in the year 2014. Supported by official Slovak governmental aid (SlovakAid) and the University. Implemented by the University and Mission “Hope for Sick and Poor”. Started in October 2011.
46. St Phillip Neri Board Elementary School, Joska, Nairobi
Better access to all grades of elementary schooling for disabled and street children or due to barrier made by high tuition. 270 children attend school. Supported NGO “Goodness for Africa” and SlovakAid. Implemented by the University and NGO “Hope for Sick and Poor” since 2012.
47. St ThereseDevelopment and Rehabilitation Centre, Naivasha
Social work, health care. Rehabilitation centre for physically and sexually misused children at the age 3 – 12 from all Kenya. 42 children were boarded in the centre. There is also school, clinic for children in the centre and for the community. Supported by the University. Implemented by the Canadian Hearts and Hands.
48. Ushirikiano Centre, Msabaha village, Malindi district
Help to children from poor families with basic education, teaching their mothers, health education, food help and HIV mobile unit. Supported and implemented by the University since 2011.
49. St Raphael Clinic for poor, Mihango
Offering basic health care to socially disabled people from slums. Supported and realized by the University with support from the Slovak NGO “Anchor” since 2006.
50. Centre and laboratory for HIV/AIDS prevention, Mukuru
Tests and HIV counselling for 4000 yearly. Supported and realized by the University in cooperation in implementation with Mukuru Promotion Centre since 2004.
51. Virgin Mary Unspoiled Centre for children with malnutrition, South B, Nairobi
Health and social care with children malnutrition removing in slums. Education of mothers, offering food to families. Centre cares about 100 children and 25 undernourished mothers. In special program centre cares after 30 heavily underfed children. Supported and implemented by the University since 2003.
52. St Charles Lwanga Anti-Malnutrition Centre, Lunga-Lunga
Avoiding the death of underfed children and education for mothers, food supplies and control within families. Supported and implemented by the University since 2006.
53. Poor children education support, Nairobi
Poor children education support by using individual sponsorship used for tuition. Supported mostly privately by individuals, organizations and corporations from Slovakia and the University. Implemented by Slovak NGOs “Goodness for Africa” and “Hope for Sick and Poor” since 2009.
54. Anti-malnutrition program and hospital, Muhoroni
Avoiding the death of underfed children and education for mothers, food supplies and control within families. Supported and implemented by the University and Irish congregation Sisters of Mercy since 2009.
55. St Kizita and St Gianna Beretta Children Rehabilitation Centre for Boys in Street, Mihango, Nairobi
Education and social rehabilitation for boys, which lived as street children. Supported and realized by the University since 2007.
56. Children Rehabilitation Centre building capacity, Mihango, Nairobi
Building additional capacity from 16 to 40, add social activity capacity for 150 street children, library andaid to local farmers. Supported by SlovakAid and the University. Implemented by St Kizita and St Gianna Beretta Children Rehabilitation Centre since 2013.