Maltézská pomoc

Maltézská pomoc, o. p. s. is a Czech non-profit humanitarian and social services organization established in 2002 by the Czech Grand Priory of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta. Its headquarters are in the Velkopřevorský palác (Grand Priory Palace) at Lázeňská 2 in Prague 1 – Malá Strana. The organization continues a long tradition of charitable work by the Order of Malta in the Czech lands, which dates back to the mid-12th century and was fully restored in 1990 after being suppressed during the communist era. The organization provides a wide range of social services and volunteer programs, primarily for seniors, people with disabilities, and families on the margins of society. Its services include social activation services for seniors and disabled persons, personal assistance, social activation services for families with children, assistance to isolated seniors and disabled persons, support for caregivers, food aid, letter-writing with prisoners, volunteer programs for the homeless, preventive educational summer and winter stays for children, education for seniors (Modern Senior), and humanitarian activities in cooperation with Malteser International, which operates in more than 110 countries. It also organizes the annual meeting of wheelchair users in Velehrad, which began in 2001, and awards the Křesadlo volunteer prize in the Olomouc and South Moravian regions. Maltézská pomoc operates through 13 branches across the Czech Republic: Prague, Brno, Žatec, Mělník, Olomouc, Přerov, Prostějov, Uherské Hradiště, Otrokovice, Valašské Meziříčí (temporarily suspended since 2020), Šumperk, Jeseník, and Černošice. The Pardubice center ceased operations in 2017. A partner organization, Česká maltézská pomoc České Budějovice, was founded in 1996 and is based in České Budějovice. The organization's motto is "Pomáháme s úctou a laskavostí" (We help with respect and kindness), and it is active in 12 cities across the Czech Republic. Leadership includes a board of directors whose chair, if a member of the Order of Malta, holds the honorary title of President of Maltézská pomoc. Past presidents include Dr. Bedřich Schwarzenberg (2008–2013), Dr. Emil Zörner (chairman 2013–2015), JUDr. Joseph Franciscus Vedlich (2015), and RNDr. Bedřich Pola (since 2015). Directors have included Ing. Jiří Juda (2009–2022) and Andreas Sebastian Weiser (since April 1, 2022). The organization is a registered public benefit company (o. p. s.) and is not publicly listed.

The history of Maltézská pomoc is closely tied to the Order of Malta in the Czech lands. The Order of Malta (originally known as the Hospitallers) has provided care for the sick and poor regardless of faith since its beginnings, primarily by establishing hospitals. Its motto, "Tuitio fidei et obsequium pauperum" (Defense of the faith and service to the poor), reflects this mission. In the Czech lands, the Order has been active since the mid-12th century, also protecting pilgrims and travelers by defending roads against robbers. The Czech Priory (Grand Priory from 1626) operated continuously until 1948. Its activities were crucial during World War I, when it operated 8 ambulance trains and a number of field hospices. During the communist regime from 1948 to 1989, the Grand Priory's activities were largely suppressed and functioned mainly through members living in exile. Its activities were fully restored in 1990. The current Maltézská pomoc was established in 2002, continuing the work of earlier humanitarian organizations founded by the Order of Malta on Czech territory since the official restoration of the Czech Grand Priory in 1990. Dr. Berthold Waldstein-Wartenberg and MUDr. Jaroslav Eliáš played significant roles in its founding. In 2002, an organizational and structural transformation of Maltézská pomoc took place, shaping it into its current form. Since then, the organization has expanded its services and branches across the Czech Republic. It operates 13 branches, though the Valašské Meziříčí branch has been temporarily suspended since 2020, and the Pardubice center ceased operations in 2017. A partner organization, Česká maltézská pomoc České Budějovice, was founded in 1996. The organization has been led by directors including Ing. Jiří Juda (2009–2022) and Andreas Sebastian Weiser (since April 1, 2022). The board of directors has been chaired by several presidents, including Dr. Bedřich Schwarzenberg (2008–2013), Dr. Emil Zörner (2013–2015), JUDr. Joseph Franciscus Vedlich (2015), and RNDr. Bedřich Pola (since 2015).

• 2022

  Andreas Sebastian Weiser became director on 1 April.

• 2020

  Valašské Meziříčí branch temporarily suspended.

• 2017

  Pardubice center ceased operations.

• 2015

  RNDr. Bedřich Pola became President of Maltézská pomoc.

• 2009

  Ing. Jiří Juda became director (until 2022).

• 2008

  Dr. Bedřich Schwarzenberg became President of Maltézská pomoc (until 2013).

• 2002

  Maltézská pomoc founded by the Czech Grand Priory of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta; organizational and structural transformation into its current form.

• 2001

  Meeting of wheelchair users in Velehrad began.

• 1996

  Partner organization Česká maltézská pomoc České Budějovice founded.

• 1990

  Activities of the Czech Grand Priory of the Order of Malta fully restored after the communist era.

Charitable and social services organization providing help with respect and kindness to those in need, especially seniors, disabled persons, and families on the margins of society.

• Social activation services for seniors and disabled persons

• Personal assistance

• Social activation services for families with children

• Assistance to isolated seniors and disabled persons

• Support for caregivers

• Food aid

• Letter-writing with prisoners

• Volunteer programs for the homeless

• Preventive educational summer and winter stays for children

• Education for seniors – Modern Senior

• Humanitarian activities with Malteser International

1. 1Maltézská pomoc: charitativní a sociální službymaltezskapomoc.cz
2. 2Maltézská pomoc – Wikipediecs.wikipedia.org
3. 3Maltézská pomoc – Wikidatawikidata.org