The Školáček club aids integration of Roma children in Žatec

• The Školáček club helps socially disadvantaged children handle school duties
• Kids' free time is filled with club activities, trips and educational and cultural events
• Thanks to the T-Mobile Fund's support, the club has overcome difficulties

Prague/Žatec, 13 February 2007 - Entering the first grade of elementary school tends to be very difficult for children from a socially disadvantaged environment, particularly those from Roma families. They often do not adapt to the new environment and the demands placed on them, and thus many of them are placed in special schools. These schools, however, do more harm than good. In the Žatec region, the Association for the Support of Integration (Sdružení pro podporu integrace) has decided to prevent Roma children from being set on such a hopeless path by founding the Schoolchildren's club (Školáček).

"The association has been working with Roma children for several years. The work is voluntary and therefore highly admirable. The program is active five days a week and the kids are taught to prepare for their school lessons. This is combined with leisure activities and entertainment," says Martina Kemrová, Head of Corporate Communication at T-Mobile. The association's main aim is to keep the kids at regular elementary schools. "We want to prevent their being placed in special schools, and consequently having limited chances in their lives as well," says Petr Antoni, the association's coordinator.

The association founded the Školáček club based on its previous experience with a similar project at the end of 2005. The club's main focus is on reducing the educational handicap that Roma children have in comparison with other children, and on filling up their free time with interesting activities. Children are offered the possibility of taking part in crafts and art groups, games, educational and cultural events and weekend trips. The kids have their own sports club where they play football and basketball. The club also provides a girls' circle. Altogether 45 kids attend the Školáček club.

The activities of the association are supported by an elementary school in Žatec, the Labour Office and the City Council. Donors contribute financial resources. The association's budget for one school year is about CZK 200,000 while parents of the children who attend the club contribute CZK 200 per year. Last year, however, the association's activities nearly had to be terminated due to financial reasons. Luckily, the organization received a grant from the T-Mobile Fund for the Školáček project in the amount of CZK 120,000. "Thanks to the grant, we could continue in our work," says Petr Antoni, adding: "The donated funds have been used for covering the expenses of our planned events, for payment of rent and for equipment purchases. The activities of the club are now secured until the end of the school year."

The total sum distributed to non-profit citizen groups from the T-Mobile Fund last year was CZK 5.4 million. Out of this amount, the Community Foundation of the Euroregion Labe received CZK 1.97 million, which was distributed to 26 projects.

T-Mobile Czech Republic, a member of the international telecommunications group Deutsche Telekom, has almost 6.2 million customers, the number-one operator in the Czech market. T-Mobile is an integrated operator: in addition to telecommunications services, it offers comprehensive ICT solutions not only for companies, but also for other organizations and individuals. It provides outstanding services in the high-speed network, which was proved repeatedly by benchmark testing performed by umlaut (former P3) with Best-in-Test seal.

T-Mobile Czech Republic places emphasis on taking a responsible approach to the environment and society. It adheres to fair business practices, helps beneficial applications and services to see the light of day, supports non-profit organizations, small businesses and individuals, and lends a helping hand whenever crisis situations arise. The company’s employees serve as volunteers in many places across the entire Czech Republic.

More information about the company is available at www.t-mobile.cz, www.t-press.cz (the portal for journalists) and www.t-mobile.cz/pomahame (information on the company’s CSR activities).

Contact details of the press unit: press@t-press.cz.