For the last 17 years, Lek, a Sandoz company, has been providing free holidays for children from socially deprived families through the Wink at the Sun initiative

“Why do we feel that the Wink at the Sun initiative is so important? Because this is not merely a carefree holiday for children where they play and swim. It is very important that they learn how to be independent, spend some time away from their parents, be with friends, take responsibility for what they do, keep track of schedules, respect rules, respect carers, make their beds and tidy their rooms. Children acquire skills that are needed at every step. Therefore, the funds dedicated for holidays are really aimed directly at children, their development and future,” said Darja Groznik, president of SAFY, summarizing the importance of the campaign. She also stressed that companies that are in a position where they have to first and foremost ensure their existence reduce donation amounts. Individuals contribute about half of the funds raised and legal entities the other half. “Therefore, all company donations are even more valuable. We are very pleased that since its very beginning, the campaign has been supported by Lek, a Sandoz company. Huge and sincere thanks also goes to each and every individual who has contributed to providing free holidays for children,” concluded Groznik.

Associations and societies within Friends of Youth manage 16 holiday homes. One of the most popular places for holiday-making is the Pacug Resort, managed by AFY Ljubljana Vič – Rudnik. Children have been spending holidays in this resort since 1964, which means that more than 93,000 children have vacationed at Pacug so far. They are looked after by educators who have to undergo special training, and by some volunteers. “Educators play a major role in making holidays in Pacug each year an unforgettable experience and are a big reason children keep coming back. For many children this is their first time away from home, and the youngest are only 5 years old. We do our best to make sure their first holiday remains a fond memory. That we are successful in doing this is proven by the fact that some of the children who spent their holidays in this resort have later returned as educators,” describes Urška Vrtačnik, secretary of AFY Ljubljana Vič – Rudnik.

Because facility maintenance requires labour and resources, a lot of emphasis is placed on corporate volunteerism. In the spring, volunteers from Lek, a Sandoz company, offered a helping hand. “At Lek, a Sandoz company, we believe that the financial success of the company and corporate responsibility go hand-in-hand. Our corporate responsibility program mirrors our mission which is taking care for our health and striving for a better quality of life for all, especially children. Today, we can witness the sincere joy of children who are on holiday, many of them for the first time. Many friendships will be forged and this is what enriches our company,” said Mojca Pavlin from Lek, a Sandoz company.

Children are currently also enjoying free holidays through associations and societies within Friends of Youth in Poreč, Piran and Savudrija, organized by the Institute for Vacation and Recreation of Children. Through Friends of Youth Ljubljana Moste Polje, another group of children are going to commence holidays in Zambratija. In Kranjska Gora, the Dynamic English Holidays program is currently running. Kids from Maribor are commencing their holidays in VIRC Poreč, and in the middle of July, some children are going to Pohorje. Children from Krško are setting off on Wednesday, 8 July, to Nerezine, where some children from abroad are also spending free holidays. The Friends of Youth DPM Mojca from Novo Mesto is today launching the second round of Funny English Holidays.

The Wink at the Sun initiative has been given a new look that aims to embrace the joy, carefree attitude and curiosity that accompany kids on their holidays. The author of the image is the illustrator Alenka Vuk Trotovšek.