heks

Although Hungary joined the EU in 2004, welfare work is still important, primarily for elderly people and single mothers, as poverty has, in many cases, set in as a habitual way of life. The same is true for physically and mentally disabled people. They are still shut away in homes - a hangover from the socialist era - and receive a modest amount of state benefit. The poor and marginalised in Hungarian society are therefore in need of welfare assistance. This is particularly true of women who are traditionally responsible for caring for elderly relatives. It is a great help for these women - most of whom are working - if their family members who need full-time care can be looked after in day centres or nursing homes.

Aims, points of focus, initiatives:

Community development is one of the two points of focus for HEKS in its interchurch aid. This mainly involves supporting civil parishes with applications for planning permission on new housing estates on the edge of large residential suburbs or in major metropolitan areas. The other point of focus is welfare work. The aim is for the Reformed Church in Hungary to have the necessary infrastructure, especially in economically weak areas and at grassroots level. For example, the parish halls and community centres in major built-up areas need to be in good condition. Work is only done in communities where the locals take an active part, however, and where the development of the community makes a visible and lasting difference. In recent years HEKS has been able to target its aid at certain welfare establishments, one such institution being the Immanuel Home in Debrecen, a day care centre for mentally and physically disabled young people.