Olomouc – Palacký University distributed Rector Awards last night. Among the eight awarded were Veronika Hypšová, who creates methodologies, leads workshops and spreads awareness in her spare time for the Archdiocesan Charity Olomouc. She gives a lot to children and young people in schools who learn how to improve the quality of their lives and those around them – even by not throwing away garbage on the street, washing their hands or boiling water before drinking to save their health, they learn how to help people in need… Veronika won the award in the category Development Cooperation and Volunteering.

The Palacký University awarded volunteers for the third year in a row, and this year eight people in eight categories received the prize. “The university appreciates ​​not only those who have success in research, sports and the like, but also students and workers who volunteer in their free time. They thus contribute to the development of civil society and this is an integral part of a democratic society,” says Vojtěch Vodseďálek from the Volunteer Center of the University.

A thrilling expedition to Haiti. That’s Veronica’s help

The awards ceremony took place on Thursday, October 24th. Twenty-three-year-old Veronika Hypšová, a student of the Faculty of Science, also changed her nomination. In the Archdiocesan Caritas Olomouc she helps to spread awareness of help to the needy, creates methodologies, leads workshops on humanitarian and development work and is the author of a board game on Haiti. “The idea of ​​creating such a game came spontaneously when I was on my way from lecturing to Archdiocesan Caritas. I sat at the paper, remembering Haiti’s woes and joys, and sketched everything out. I enjoyed that. And when I saw the game printed, it made me very happy,” says Veronika. Her game educates and at the same time enjoys and draws a lot of children and students. Through it, they “travel to Haiti” where Caritas helps. They use Haitian shells instead of figures. They “look” into the capital of Port au Prince, into the mountains, the wastelands, and some have to cross the sea, where sharks lurk. On the way, they perform fun tasks and learn about life in Haiti.
Veronika is interested in global development education and creates methodologies that approach various issues, such as waste sorting or cholera disease, tuberculosis, ebola, malaria, etc. She then improves the methodology as she fits her children and young people in the field. And why is he doing all this? “I enjoy looking for interesting things that will surprise not only me but also workshop participants. See their surprised faces and hear them wonder: What? We didn’t know that! I want people to know the need to separate waste and why. Furthermore, the garbage should not be thrown away just on the street. They get into the water and harm not only humans but mainly animals. Children also find out how to protect themselves against various diseases when traveling. But it will actually protect itself in the Czech Republic,” the student continues.

As a volunteer, Veronika learns a lot of interesting things, which she will use once in practice. “And I also love going to the Archdiocesan Caritas Olomouc. There is a wonderful atmosphere and there is no day I would not like to be there,” she adds.

The Archdiocesan Caritas Olomouc appreciates its help. “Veronika started with us as an intern and then started to help us as a volunteer. She has been an assistant to development projects in Haiti, she is now developing methodologies on a variety of topics, leading workshops in schools, spreading awareness… Enhances our activities and is our great help, for which we very much appreciate and thank her,” says Khrystyna Novodvorska.

Karolína Opatřilová, Archdiocesan Charity Olomouc
Photo: Khrystyna Novodvorska, Archdiocesan Charity Olomouc