Stories from the places where we help

 

Oleksandra found a job as an accountant in Lviv. Thanks to Caritas, she improved her skills and now contributes to the growth of a well-known local shop.
January 13, 2026 News

Oleksandra found a job as an accountant in Lviv. Thanks to Caritas, she improved her skills and now contributes to the growth of a well-known local shop.

In the weeks before Christmas, Caritas Czech Republic visited Lviv. We also stopped by a shop called „Something Interesting“, which sells blown glass products typical of the town. Oleksandra works as the shop’s accountant. She moved to Lviv from Zaporizhzhia before the war began. She did not plan to settle down, but the conflict has extended her stay indefinitely. Thanks to support from Caritas Czech Republic, she attended two courses that helped her strengthen the company’s growth. 

Thanks to Caritas, Nesreen remembered her own courage. Today, she is helping others in Gaza
January 8, 2026 News

Thanks to Caritas, Nesreen remembered her own courage. Today, she is helping others in Gaza

At forty-two, Nesreen has not had an easy life, not even before the conflict in Gaza began. Two of her four children are living with a serious health condition, and Nesreen dedicated all her time to caring for them. When the war started, the family lost their home and had to overcome other unfortunate twists of fate. The situation finally improved when Nesreen visited the clinic of Caritas Jerusalem, supported by Caritas Czech Republic. Here, she found much-needed words of comfort and understanding. Today, she copes better with the daily challenges of life in Gaza. 

Hamiyanda purchased his dream bike thanks to growing sorghum seed
January 5, 2026 News

Hamiyanda purchased his dream bike thanks to growing sorghum seed

Forty-two-year-old Hamiyanda from Zambia used to rely on growing maize as his main source of livelihood. However, due to the impacts of climate change, this way of farming has become unsustainable. Thanks to Caritas Czech Republic, Hamiyanda gained knowledge of organic farming and became a sorghum seed grower. Once established in his new career, he was able to purchase his dream bike, which greatly simplified his work. Hamiyanda and other farmers in Zambia are supported by Caritas Czech Republic, even through donations collected in the Three Kings Collection.

A lifesaving firewood stove. Little Evelina's family will survive the winter in warmth thanks to donated solid fuel
December 15, 2025 Caritas Czech Republic in Ukraine

A lifesaving firewood stove. Little Evelina's family will survive the winter in warmth thanks to donated solid fuel

The war forced two-year-old Evelina and her parents, Yevhen and Marjana, to flee their hometown of Marganets in the Dnipropetrovsk region. The family settled in a rural house, where the only source of warmth in winter is an old wood-burning stove. Due to unemployment and the rising cost of solid fuel, it is extremely difficult to heat the house throughout the winter, so the family is grateful for the help provided by Caritas Czech Republic and the Ukraine Humanitarian Fund.

Caritas Czech Republic and Sawa: the art of listening during the conflict in Gaza
December 2, 2025 News

Caritas Czech Republic and Sawa: the art of listening during the conflict in Gaza

A ceasefire in Gaza was agreed almost two months ago. But the local atmosphere and the current situation of the people here, after months of siege, bombardment, starvation, and isolation, can hardly be considered peaceful. Therefore, Caritas Czech Republic continues to work on site and focuses its support primarily on health and psychosocial help. For example, we collaborate with Palestinian organisation Sawa that operates the 164 hotline for crisis intervention. 

High water costs were a heavy burden for Kamal. Thanks to Caritas Czech Republic, he can now access water both at home and at work
November 27, 2025 News

High water costs were a heavy burden for Kamal. Thanks to Caritas Czech Republic, he can now access water both at home and at work

It has been fourteen years since the civil war in Syria started. The locals have been facing violence, forced displacement, and severe shortages of essential goods, including food, water, and means of livelihood. Caritas Czech Republic, supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, has focused its assistance on the north of the country, near the Turkish-Syrian border. This region was affected by a devastating earthquake in 2023. Following the end of Bashar al-Assad’s administration this summer, the safety situation in the area even worsened. Yet, we are still able to report positive news from Syria. The following story is one of them. 

Edeby promotes organic farming in Zambia
November 24, 2025 News

Edeby promotes organic farming in Zambia

Edeby heads Cassia Agro Enterprise Limited in the southern Zambian town of Monze. She founded the company in 2013 and today employs ten people. Thanks to training and support from Caritas, her business now focuses on organic agriculture. 

Aida’s story offers a look at Caritas Czech Republic’s activities in Gaza
November 18, 2025 News

Aida’s story offers a look at Caritas Czech Republic’s activities in Gaza

Although the recent ceasefire stopped the imminent danger in Gaza, the peace agreement itself cannot heal the wounds, allow people to return to their broken homes, nor chase away their recurring nightmares. Caritas Czech Republic, together with the financial support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, helped to maintain the operation of the clinic of Caritas Jerusalem. The facility provided people with basic healthcare and psychosocial support. This activity was concluded at the end of October, but our colleagues remain on site and continue providing assistance primarily in systematic psychosocial support and crisis intervention. The people of Gaza have gone through severe hardship and they need long-term, professionally-led help. The following story is one of many. 

Beauty from Zambia starts a new chapter as a seamstress with support from Caritas Czech Republic
November 3, 2025 News

Beauty from Zambia starts a new chapter as a seamstress with support from Caritas Czech Republic

At 47 years old, Beauty from Zambia has become a skilled seamstress and independent woman. But not long ago, she was a housewife with no job, entirely dependent on her husband’s income. After their divorce, she was left to care for five children alone, with no support from her former husband. Thanks to the training and support from Caritas Czech Republic, Beauty was able to change her life and start her own business. 

This shop is my dream come true, says Maha from Iraq, who opened a cosmetics shop thanks to support from Caritas Czech Republic
October 13, 2025 News

This shop is my dream come true, says Maha from Iraq, who opened a cosmetics shop thanks to support from Caritas Czech Republic

Maha, now 40 years old, runs a small but carefully arranged shop in the centre of the Christian town of Karakosh in northern Iraq. She sells cosmetics, scarves, accessories, and sometimes even clothing – and says she does not need anything more to be happy. “I opened the shop after we returned home from Erbil, after the city was liberated from ISIS. Back then, we were living in a caravan – now I have my own business. And I’m truly grateful for that,” says Maha, who now runs her business thanks in part to the support of Caritas Czech Republic.