By Katarina Hablakova | Project Leader
Weekend meeting of bereaved families is now a tradition in Plamienok. Families who suffered the loss of a close person – mom, dad, brother, sister, are offered not only psychotherapeutic help in our Center of Grief Therapy but we offer them the possibility to spend weekend with us and other families. The weekend for families is organized twice a year and the recent one took place from 8th till 10th June in Podkylava.
Thanks to your support we were able to welcome ten bereaved families and offer them weekend during which they can relax, build new relationships and get support from our therapist but also other families who are dealing with similar loss.
The main topic of this weekend was folklore and Slovak traditions. We prepared a program with many activities: trip to the castle, ceramics, yoga, sport, music concert, sharing and talking about the loss, creative writing, etc. We tried to show the families that despite their loss they can still experience nice and joyful moments in their lives. On the other hand sharing the experience with others offered them to feel they are not alone and get them inspiration how to move forward in their life.
The atmosphere of the weekend meeting is best described by photos we are sharing with you. You can also read feedback from families summarizing this weekend. Words of gratitude are dedicated to all of you:
“Thank you Plamienok for the possibility to experience such a wonderful and magic weekend. We acquired a lot of positive energy. We are thankful to all the organizers for the rich program as well as for their creativity. After the loss of our beloved one we are surrounded by sadness, but thanks to you, our spark of hope still flashes up. Although the loss is very painful, you show and teach us that the life is not over. We can still enjoy the moments with friends and family. Moreover, we can share the loss with others. What helps a lot to my son is the feeling that he is not alone who lost his daddy and that there are other children who experienced something similar. You showed us that while enjoying the moments of our “new” life we can still be connected with our daddy in hearts. Thank you so much!” - T.B. and his mom A.B.
Nowadays, we are already planning the next meeting for bereaved families in September. We hope that with your generous support we will be able to organize another weekend for our families and offer them relax and support they need so much in their difficult situation.
Thank you very much for your help. It allows us to focus on things which are most important for us in Plamienok – help children and families who are dealing with the loss of loved ones.
Video in Slovak - Bereaved families meeting 2018 on YouTube PLAMIENOK n.o.: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JTmVEZEKL0
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