ORGANIZATION OF THE GARDEN FESTIVAL
As has become our tradition, we set out on the last weekend of summer vacation to help organize the garden party at Villa Vallile. It’s a very popular—but also quite demanding—event. We didn’t underestimate the preparation, so the two of us took charge of running the event.
This year’s group consists of 14 volunteers. The garden party is primarily about bringing together current and former clients, their families, friends, and supporters. The community where people with disabilities live begins preparing for the entire event long before it begins. Clients rehearse a theater performance, products for sale are made in the workshops, and new booths are designed. And to make sure everyone could really enjoy themselves, we came to help ensure everything ran smoothly.
We all arrived on Friday afternoon or evening. We gradually got involved in the preparations. There was a demonstration on baking flatbread in the oven, complete with a tasting. We also planned to roast sausages over a campfire, but unfortunately the rain put a stop to that, so we moved inside the villa. Luckily, that was the last rain of the weekend. We all got to know each other and talked a bit about the community living in Villa Vallila and about HERO CLAN. But above all, we focused on preparations for Saturday.
Saturday started early with a great breakfast. We spent the morning getting ready—setting up booths, carrying chairs, benches, and firewood to the ovens, bringing out products for sale, preparing dough for flatbreads and tomato sauce, and placing signs and floral decorations. There was also a training session on mixing cocktails—a new feature this year.
The festivities began at noon. We helped out at the booths selling Vilák products and refreshments, made coffee, washed dishes, refilled water, baked flatbread in the oven, and mixed cocktails. We managed to take turns so we could also enjoy some of the program itself. Even while working, we enjoyed the atmosphere of the event, which was, as always, unique.
Sunday started later since there was no need to rush. We cleaned everything up and put everything back in its place. Before lunch, as has become a tradition, we went for a walk to see the horses. The Prague Zoo breeds Przewalski’s horses here.
Thank you to all the Vilák residents for welcoming us with open arms. And thank you also to all the amazing volunteers who dedicated their weekend to this event. You were a great group. The energy from this event will stay with us for a long time...
Leaders Jana and Inur
L´Arche Villa Vallila, z.ú.
The organization strives to enable people with disabilities to live fulfilling lives in the natural conditions of a human community. To achieve this goal, they operate Villa Vallila, a community home located in Červený Újezd near Votice.
In 1997, the association purchased a dilapidated villa and transformed it into a community home where people with intellectual disabilities now live together with their assistants. Life in the community allows people with disabilities to become an integral part of society. They benefit from supported housing and social therapeutic workshops, where they develop work skills. Many of them are employed in regular jobs.
SEE HOW THE EVENT WENT
