The Women’s Educational Institute (commonly known as Vesna) is a continuation of the activities of the Czech Women’s Educational Association based in Brno, which was founded in the early 1870’s. It focuses on educational, social, and recreational activities.
In its current form, it was officially founded on February 7, 2022. But the current team started already in May 2021 as a group of volunteers. Its core activity was humanitarian aid distribution centre for families in need. Vesna cared for ca. three hundred families. It was not only clothes, appliances, electronics or toys. Vesna offered a consultation on social services in Brno and South Moravia. In summer 2021, Vesna helped tornado victims and organized school days to provide school supplies to hundreds of families.
The Vesna Šatník (Wardrobe) is a unique source of basic material needs. It also functions as a centre for the transfer of information on educational, cultural, recreational, physical, and social activities. The operation of the Wardrobe would not be possible without the thousands of hours of work of hundreds of volunteers from different countries. During the first three months of the war in Ukraine it provided aid 10 hours a day, 7 days a week. In 2022, 32 000 people visited Šatník. Since June 2022, the Wardrobe has again been operating in “pre-war” mode, with visitors making appointments for specific dates. You can find the rules of Šatník and register for a visit here. The material for families in need is supplied by donors from Brno and the surrounding area, including a large number of foreigners. Foreign women are also part of the Šatník’s clientele.
In cooperation with the Brno diocese, we created 20 rooms for Ukrainian refugees at the former Ursuline convent at Josefská 1.
The historic buildings of the Vesna association on Údolní 10 also serve as a venue for a number of educational and recreational activities aimed primarily at women and children, and for public meetings and cultural events. We also have here a group “Vesnenka” for children 3–6 y.o.. In 2022, more than 5000 women and children participated in Vesna’s activities at Údolní 10.
Now Vesna operates as the important humanitarian aid distribution centre and social centre for people in need living in Brno and around.
Vesna is always open to cooperation and offers volunteering opportunities for both corporate groups and individual expats. Some of the staff can communicate in English and will be happy to tell you about the various activities you could join.