A weekend in mid-January found us about 400km northeast of Tapolca in the town of Záhony, right next to the Ukrainian border. Our original intentions in planning the trip were to have a meet and greet in an orphanage near there.
Why Záhony?
I don’t believe I made mention of how some months ago, Söndi and I had travelled to Budapest to go to the grand opening of Tibor’s art studio. It was there that we met his fellow artists who were also raised in the same orphanage as he was. Among them was a man named Sándor. Sándor still lives in Záhony, near the town where they grew up.
I had expressed an interest in learning more about the orphan situation in Hungary, and Söndi was also interested. The orphanages near Budapest get more attention, but the ones in the country side, not so much. So, that, plus our connection with Sándor, and also Söndi’s timely high school reunion in the North, all led us up to Záhony.
We travelled up in the Carlaw’s van (the whole family came), until Miskolc, where we parted ways. I took the train bound for Záhony, and the Carlaws proceeded to visit various relatives and contacts in town. They would come to Záhony later.
I spent Friday night and Saturday with Sándor and his wife Éva, and their sweet daughter Veronika, who is 18. Again and again I am left so warmed and somewhat taken aback by the hospitality of Hungarians. Hospitality is a predominant trademark of the culture, and there truly is something peculiar and enchanting about the rate at which a Hungarian can make you feel at home. It really is different. I think I would like to write more about this sometime...but back to the weekend events.
All of the programs were booked for the Monday. I was scheduled for two presentations about Canada in a high school (since we were in the area), a kids club at a school in Berkesz, and as many orphan group-homes there as we could manage to visit before having to get on the road back to Tapolca.
Above: Highschool Presentation
Left: Kids Club in Berkesz (video)
The kids club went really well. The kids were between 9 and 12...and were very accepting and attentive. It was easy to connect with them quickly. We did some English games, some singing, and a Bible lesson on the lost sheep. About 12 came. We had originally expected that some of the kids from the orphanages would be there as well, but they had to go home to do homework.
Now as it turns out, the ginormous orphanage where Tibor and Sándor lived (it really must have at least 50 rooms - It was massive) has been shut down and the local orphans live in foster homes and group homes with 10 or so kids or teens per home.
We only managed to visit two homes, just for a few minutes each. The homes mostly consisted of teenagers, both boys and girls.
In the first home we only met about three teens, and we didn't interact much. But in the second home we definitely chatted more with the teens. There were maybe eight there at the time, as well as a young boy, who was about seven or eight years old. As far as I could tell the homes have one adult caring for them. I’m not sure.
Though heartbreaking, it was an enjoyable visit. The teens seemed happy for visitors, and set about showing us their tidy rooms and closets.
So, that was Záhony. The kids asked if we could come back, so there is a good chance we will return sometime in the spring