eRko

Our aim

is to assist children and young people to become mature responsible Christian personalities involved in the  development of the society they live in. The basis of the work of eRko are regular meetings of children communities at the local level, where they can build open communities together. The mission of eRko is implemented through the personal example of young volunteers who experience the life in the community together with children. The main values are: lively faith, joyful service, open community, respect for life, responsibility and trust.

Child in eRko:

• Walks towards the maturity
• Gives hand to other children and does something good for the others
• Develops his/her spiritual life
• Discovers the world with the friends
• Develops his/her talents and skills
• Has his/her good friends in eRko
• Belongs to the community in eRko and experiences Church as a community of people living in faith and acting in love

Leader/Animator in eRko:

These 2 words have similar meaning for us in eRko. Animator is the one who gives the spirit (lat. anima – spirit, soul) and leader is the one who knows, where to walk with the kids.

Every childreln´s community has at least one leader. This ministry belongs to the specific community and specific period of time (min. 1 year). Leader is in charge of the community´s development and formation.

eRko for CHILDREN

• regular meetings of children in small groups – communities where we talk, discuss various topics, play games, and search for the answers to the questions that bother us;
• summer camps
• Campaigns
  • MINIdigi
  • Children deed of help
  • Candle for unborn children
• Rebrík (the only Slovak Catholic magazine for children)

eRko for LEADERS

• courses, workshops, seminars;
• information-methodical magazine LUSK
• methodical guides to assist in working with children

eRko for SOCIETY

• Dobrá novina (Good News) – public collection for supporting development projects in countries of the African continent

The core activity of eRko is the regular out-of-school work with children in small communities – children groups. A programme for children is provided by volunteers for whom eRko regularly prepares training courses and methodical materials. Children meet with their leaders usually on weekly or fortnightly basis. Meetings have a family character. Through activities, conversations, stories, prayers and games children experience with their leaders a joyful community. Through personal example of leaders, they can make steps towards personal maturity and learn to serve others. They develop their talents, knowledge and skills. Leaders of the groups base the work with children on Christian values and their transmission into practical life. In addition to regular meetings, leaders with children organise a variety of themed events, day trips, days of life, days of joy, summer and winter camps. In Slovakia, there are more than 500 eRko children groups.

Summer camps are the pinnacle of  meetings in the local communities throughout the year and may become a motivation for the involvement of other children in regular activities of eRko.  At the summer camps, children have more time and opportunities  to deepen what they have learned and lived out on the meetings during the school year.

Dobra novina (Good News) is the Christmas carol singing campaign organised by eRko. Annualy, 25,000 children and young people visit 70,000 families, spread the news of newly born Jesus Christ and collect little donations from the people, which are used to support development activities of eRko in various African countries. Throughout the year, Dobra novina offers numerous activities of development education all over Slovakia. For more information see #DEVELOPMENT section or visit www.dobranovina.sk

MINIdigi

Children Deed of Help

Children Deed of Help is a national campaign motivating children to carry out deeds of selfless service. In the missionary month of October, children communities focus on helping others in their parish, village or town. eRko memebers open up to the whole parish community, participate in the life of their communities, they are taught to be mindful of the needs of others and through helping others they can develop their personal mission.

Candle for Unborn Children

Candle for Unborn Children is a campaign tied to the November 2nd – All Soul’s Day. The general idea is to remember the children killed by the artificial abortion and those who died because of spontaneous abortion, as well as to encourage parents of those children. We can do so by a short stop and reflection or lighting a candle in front of gynecological departments, memorials of unborn children, crosses or  in the windows of our houses

Dobrá novina

Dobrá novina (Good News) is the most extensive action of eRko and goes not only beyond its membership, but also beyond the borders of Slovakia and the European continent. Dobrá Novina is a public collection permitted by the Ministry of Interior of the Slovak Republic. During the Christmas time, children sing Carols and spread the joyful news of the birth of Jesus Christ in their families, towns and villages. At the same time, they collect funds which are used to support development projects in countries of the African continent.

Rebrík is the only Slovak Catholic magazine for children at the age of 6 to 10 years. The magazine promotes an active enjoying of children’s leisure time, family upbringing and school education. It helps children in their spiritual growth, and it strives to show readers the true and lasting values and teach them to live not only for themselves but also for the others. When creating the content of the magazine, we start from the Christian tradition and a long-time experience of working with children of our publisher – eRko – Christian Children Communities Movement. For more information visit www.rebrik.sk.