Spišský Hrhov

In Spišský Hrhov the Play Hub is situated in the local primary school and is accessible for the whole day to the students. In the morning, support to the school activities is provided; in the afternoon, it becomes a play space for families and children.

The Play Hub is equipped with brand new furniture, lots of books and news toys. The activities that are organized have become popular among people both from the Roma and from the majority community in the village.

The Play Hub has 225 members, half of which have Roma origins. The activities organized are crafts, cinema club, baking, cooking, intergenerational activities and fine arts. At the same time parents can benefit from parental support.

For the families the opening hours are Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 15:00 to 18:00.

Roškovce

The village of Roškovce, in eastern Slovakia, hosts a large marginalized Roma community that rarely comes in contact with the majority population. The children in the village do not have access to early childhood facilities as nursery or kindergarten – that also due to a lack of trust that parents have in the services provided by the majority group. Children often start school unprepared, with a very basic knowledge of the national language, often lacking basic hygienic and healthy habits.

With the support of the mayor, the Play Hub is now open twice a week under the guidance of educators and volunteers. In addition to the regular lessons, joint activities, workshops, and charity events are being organized. Currently, the Play Hub is visited by more than 100 children and 60 parents. Children from Roškovce frequently visit the primary Spišský Hrhov to be able to meet peers from the majority population.

The main target group of these play and learning hub activities are Ukrainian refugees and displaced persons (children and their caregivers). The activities in the play and learning hubs include summer learning and inclusion camps, toy and book library, working with children in early childhood, after school tutoring, Slovak language courses, and creative workshops.

Kosice

Kosice is the second largest city in Slovakia, with approximately 250,000 inhabitants. The play and learning hub in Kosice is located at the Primary school Tomasikova. This primary school was designated by the authorities as the hub school for all Ukrainian children living in Kosice. On Mother’s Day, the First Lady of the United States of America, Mrs Jill Biden, visited the school to celebrate with Ukrainian refugee mothers and their children. The play and learning hub in Kosice is open every working day from 7:30 AM – 4 PM.

Presov

Presov is the third largest city in Slovakia with approximately 90,000 inhabitants. The play and learning hub is located at the United school of Taras Shevchenko, which is a joint primary and secondary school where the language of instruction is Ukrainian — the only one of its kind in Slovakia. The play and learning hub in Presov is open every working day from 7:30 AM – 4 PM. 

Zilina

Zilina is the fourth largest city in Slovakia, with approximately 81,500 inhabitants. The play and learning hub is located in refugee camp “Camp Zilina”. This camp was founded by businessman Milan Dubec and his wife Renata to help Ukrainian refugees. To date, they have provided accommodation and assistance to more than 2,500 people. The play and learning hub in Zilina is open every working day from 7:30 AM – 4 PM.

Poprad

Poprad is the tenth largest city in Slovakia (approximately 51,000 inhabitants). It lies at the foot of High Tatra Mountains and is famous for its picturesque center and as a holiday resort. It is the biggest town in the Spis region. The play and learning hub is located in the building of the Catholic Charity Parish office, adjacent to a charity that provides free food and clothing to Ukrainian refugees. The play and learning hub in Poprad is open every working day from 7:30 AM – 4 PM.

Tatranska Lomnica

Tatranska Lomnica is a small winter sports resort offering slopes suitable for skiers of all abilities, cross-country trails, and a cable car travels up to Lomnicky stit peak for mountaintop views. In Tatranska Lomnica, the play and learning hub is located at the Finance Hotel which is owned by the Ministry of Finance of the Slovak Republic. To meet the needs of Ukrainian children and families, the Ministry took the decision to make the entire building available to Ukrainian refugees. They also receive a full day’s meals free of charge. The play and learning hub at the Finance Hotel in Tatranska Lomnica is open every working day from 7:30 AM – 4 PM. 

Spisska Nova Ves I.

Spisska Nova Ves is the sixteenth largest city in Slovakia (approximately 37,000 inhabitants). The play and learning hub is located at the Primary school Hutnicka 16. This primary school was designated by the authorities as one of two hub schools for all Ukrainian children living in Spisska Nova Ves. The hub is located in a large room with lots of natural light, which is very positive for the children. The play and learning hub at the Primary School Hutnicka is open every working day 7:30 AM – 4 PM. 

Spisska Nova Ves II.

The play and learning hub is located at the Kindergarten Tehelna 20. This part of Spisska Nova Ves is a locality with a high percentage of Roma inhabitants. All of the children who visit this Kindergarten are Roma. Similarly, the main target group of the play and learning hub activities are children aged 0 – 6 years, and caregivers from the marginalized Roma community.

The activities in the play and learning hub include lending toys and books, workshops targeted at improving the parental skills of caregivers, home visiting advisory programs for Roma households, and preparing young children for a successful start in their primary education. The play and learning hub at the Kindergarten Tehelna 20 is open every working day from 3:30 PM – 6:00 PM. 

Dobsina

Dobsina is a small town in Gemer Region with approximately 5,600 inhabitants. Of these, 2,200 are Roma. The play and learning hub is located at the Domcek Community centre and is run in close cooperation with a local NGO called Detstvo detom from Dobsina.

The activities in the play and learning hub include lending toys and books, workshops targeted at improving the parental skills of caregivers, home visiting advisory programs for Roma households, and preparing young children for a successful start in their primary education. The play and learning hub in Dobsina is open every working day 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM.

These Pay Hubs were made possible thanks to Skola Dokoran, REYN National Coordinator in Slovakia. For more information you can contact Miroslav Sklenka or Peter Strážik.