Who We Are

The Divé maky civil association is a non-profit organisation that has been operating as a stand-alone legal entity since October 2008. Before that the Divé maky program was a part of the PRO DONUM civil association.

The Pro Donum civil association has been operating as a non-governmental organization in the area of philanthropy development and corporate, individual and public social responsibility since May 2003. The association provides professional training, consulting, counselling and auxiliary services.

Its mission is to connect the commercial and non-profit sector and develop their cooperation for the benefit of the entire society. For more information on Pro Donum please visit the website of this civil association at www.prodonum.sk.

Divé maky Board of Administrators

Mgr. Vladislava Dolníková
Chair of the Board of Administrators
vdolnikova@prodonum.sk

I spent several years nurturing the Divé maky project idea. In addition to resolving problems of the Romany community I was also looking for elements that make a high-quality grant program – clarity of the idea, focus, transparent, meaningfulness, sustainability and understanding of cultural differences… viac 

I spent several years nurturing the Divé maky project idea. In addition to resolving problems of the Romany community I was also looking for elements that make a high-quality grant program – clarity of the idea, focus, transparent, meaningfulness, sustainability and understanding of cultural differences. The long-term goal of the program is to create an environment to develop a Romany elite and middle class – those practically do not exist at this point. The program wants to help in forming a generation that will transfer their experience to benefit development of the Romany minority and increase their chances. This is a long-term commitment, but only such changes make any real sense. To educate self-confident and experienced people who will further the idea and give other people the hope that developing one's education does pay off, that it is an inevitable part of our lives. Trust is an obligation. And trust is what we incorporated into the mission of the Divé maky program – the trust that Divé maky children shall once become great artists, teachers, intellectuals or athletes who can conquer all obstacles. The trust in children, donors, partners, and in ourselves.

Mgr.Barbora Kohútiková
Administrator
bkohutikova@prodonum.sk

I studied Social Work at the Comenius University's Fa­culty of Education in Bratislava. Over 2003–2005 I have been working for the Slovak Humanitarian Council on the project of social assistance to asylum seekers under an UNHCR financed project. After I left field work I spent several months in the commercial sector but since that did not fulfil me I returned back to the third sector… viac 

I studied Social Work at the Comenius University's Fa­culty of Education in Bratislava. Over 2003–2005 I have been working for the Slovak Humanitarian Council on the project of social assistance to asylum seekers under an UNHCR financed project. After I left field work I spent several months in the commercial sector but since that did not fulfil me I returned back to the third sector. In September 2005 I was invited by Vladislava Dolníková to start working at PRO DONUM – first as the Divé maky program coordinator and later as its director. In Autumn 2008 me, Vladislava Dolníková and Martin Krajčí founded the Divé maky civil association where I serve as the Administrator.

Mgr. Martin Krajčí
Member of the Board of Administrators

I finished my legal training at the Comenius University's Fa­culty of Law in Bratislava; I graduated in 1998. After my university studies I started to provide legal services in the bank sector. I successfully passed my bar examination in 2003, and since 2004 I am listed as a barrister on the list of the Slovak Bar Association…viac 

I finished my legal training at the Comenius University's Fa­culty of Law in Bratislava; I graduated in 1998. After my university studies I started to provide legal services in the bank sector. I successfully passed my bar examination in 2003, and since 2004 I am listed as a barrister on the list of the Slovak Bar Association. Presently I have active barrister practice. Vladka Dolníková recruited me for expert cooperation and legal counselling in philanthropy and the third sector in early 2006. She asked me to cooperate and provide expert support for the budding Divé maky program; I liked the idea so I agreed. Since the very beginning I helped to form and found the basic legal framework and all legal documents forming the necessary and stable pillar of creating, supporting and implementing the Divé maky program in practice. I still keep on providing expert support for the program and the civil association. . I helped to found the Divé maky civil association as a stand-alone legal entity focused on institutional support to implementing the Divé maky program. I am a member of this civil association and at the same time provide expert supervision and inspection of its activities as a member of its body – the Board of Administrators.

The Program Team

Mgr. Lucia Dohnalová
Program Director
ldohnalova@divemaky.sk

I studied at the Faculty of Mass Media Communication of The University of SS. Cyril and Methodius in Trnava. Over the years 2004 – 2007 I worked for the Istropolitana ad agency at the Client Service department… viac 

I studied at the Faculty of Mass Media Communication of The University of SS. Cyril and Methodius in Trnava. Over the years 2004 – 2007 I worked for the Istropolitana ad agency at the Client Service department where I took care of international clients. Later I wanted to use my experience for a good cause so I decided to try the non-profit sector. I met Vladimíra at a business meeting; I never hesitated for a second and grasped the opportunity. I have been working as the Divé maky Program Director since 2007, excluding a one year break. I have known the children in the program since its beginning. When I see what they managed to achieve I am proud to be a member of this fantastic team. Moreover, I have enjoyed dance and music since I was little, so there is no doubt this is the right place for me to be…

RNDr. Veronika Káčerová
Program Manager
vkacerova@divemaky.sk

Tutors

Mgr. Art. Gabika Binderová
Program Tutor, Bratislava Region
gbinderova@divemaky.sk

I come from a family where issues of philanthropy and social responsibility have always been a strong motivation in life. My uncle and aunt started the DeDo foundation focused on solidarity with people from children's homes, and they cooperate with the Smile as a Gift foundation on the project of Dorka Crisis Centre in Košice… viac

I come from a family where issues of philanthropy and social responsibility have always been a strong motivation in life. My uncle and aunt started the DeDo foundation focused on solidarity with people from children's homes, and they cooperate with the Smile as a Gift foundation on the project of Dorka Crisis Centre in Košice. That is why I was very attracted to activities of the Divé maky nongovernmental organization and I gladly accepted the offer to cooperate on this project. At first I worked on developing artistic talent in Romany children. As a visual artist I became a visual arts teacher at the first Divé maky Summer Academy; this has been one of the most beautiful experiences in my life. This later led me to the idea of working with more gifted Divé maky children so I joined the Divé maky civil association team as a Program Manager. Although I do not have much experience in working with the Romany minority I believe in supporting the education of the Romany children; I even think education is one of the few possible roads to solving the problems of the Romany. I firmly believe there is a lot of work to be done in this area, and perhaps this would reduce social distance towards the Romany. I would really wish for this to happen because I know it from my own experience how much the environment and education matters to the Romany children. This opinion comes from my personal life encounters with humans as such. Sandra Holubová is a Romany girl from a children's home who came to our family 10 years ago as a 5 year old child. Ever since we all became her unofficial patrons and actively contribute to her education and personality growth. Presently she is one of the most talented of the Divé maky bunch. And that is why I am sure Divé maky is the place where I am supposed to be :)

Silvia Galyasová
Program Tutor, Košice Region
sgalyasova@divemaky.sk

I majored in Music and Drama with basic teacher training at the Secondary School of Performing Arts in Košice; later I studied at the Constantine The Philosopher University in Nitra. I currently study as an external student at the St. Elizabeth College of Health and Social Sciences at its Michalovce remote location… viac 

I majored in Music and Drama with basic teacher training at the Secondary School of Performing Arts in Košice; later I studied at the Constantine The Philosopher University in Nitra. I currently study as an external student at the St. Elizabeth College of Health and Social Sciences at its Michalovce remote location; I am in the last year of studying. I completed a Romany language exam in Prague as one of five people from Slovakia and the Czech Republic. I work at the Secondary School of Performing Arts in Košice as the Romany Language and Lifestyle teacher. I was very much attracted to the Divé maky program and I am happy to be a part of this great idea. I work with young, very talented people and I see how they wish to be successful in doing what they do – despite that their financial situation does not allow them much. I am happy that I can be of some help through Divé maky.

Rasťo Zubaj
Program Tutor, Prešov Region
rzubaj@divemaky.sk

I studied teaching of academic subject Religion and Ethical Education at the University of Prešov. In my final year of studies I worked for the Oblík Východ civil association as a coordinator of free-time and educational activities… viac

I studied teaching of academic subject Religion and Ethical Education at the University of Prešov. In my final year of studies I worked for the Oblík Východ civil association as a coordinator of free-time and educational activities, and I worked on organizing cultural events and training seminars for marginalized groups. After graduating I briefly worked as Assistant Teacher and later a Teacher in primary and secondary schools of Vranov nad Topľou. In 2005 I have started to work with the Romany people at the Centre for Pastoring to the Romany in Čičava. At the same time I worked for the international organization ETP Slovakia located in Košice as a Field Social Worker in various settlements of the Vranov region. My work covered four areas: social, legal, humanitarian and health assistance. Since 2008 I worked as a Community Worker of health education within the project Supporting Health of Disadvantaged Communities in Slovakia for 2009–2015 in the Vranov District. Since 2008 I have been serving as a Regional Tutor for the Divé maky program in the area of Vranov.

Michaela Kutelyová
Program Tutor, Banská Bystrica Region
mkutelyova@divemaky.sk

I studied teaching of academic subjects Slovak Language and Literature in combination with Mathematics at the Matej Bel University's Fa­culty of Education in Banská Bystrica. Since 2007 I have been working at the Poniky Elementary School and Kindergarten as an Assistant Teacher for underperforming Romany pupils… viac

I studied teaching of academic subjects Slovak Language and Literature in combination with Mathematics at the Matej Bel University's Fa­culty of Education in Banská Bystrica. Since 2007 I have been working at the Poniky Elementary School and Kindergarten as an Assistant Teacher for underperforming Romany pupils; presently I am a Teacher of Mathematics and a homeroom teacher for the fifth grade. In additional to other activities in school I am also in charge of the afterschool club for Romany pupils “History and Culture of the Romany”. Among other things I work with current events that children take from the Romany newspaper Romano nevo ľil. Through this paper we found out about Divé maky and so we tried to enrol some talented children into the program. In tryouts I got to meet people who are in charge of Divé maky. I was very pleased by friendly and cordial relationships with them; this has been a source of enrichment to me. I hope this will continue because I feel great in the environment where the Romany community lives and the temperament of talented Romany children is being developed.

Mgr. Rudolf Pohlodko

Program Tutor, Prešov Region

Ján Zubaj
Program Tutor, Prešov Region
jzubaj@divemaky.sk

I majored in Quality of Production and Safety of Technical Systems at the Technical University. After finishing my studies I started to work at the Department of Manufacturing Technologies as a PhD student. In the course of my studies I acquired some experience in the field of working with people. I still use those skills and expand them by working at the Municipal Authority as a Field Social Worker… viac

I majored in Quality of Production and Safety of Technical Systems at the Technical University. After finishing my studies I started to work at the Department of Manufacturing Technologies as a PhD student. In the course of my studies I acquired some experience in the field of working with people. I still use those skills and expand them by working at the Municipal Authority as a Field Social Worker. In 2005 I was a founder of the Oblík Východ civil association where I work on issues of the Romany community – especially as concerning Romany children and youth. In the civil association I work as a Community Worker and provide general counselling to clients, I lead a PEER group and organize summer time activities for children and the youth. Since 2009 I have been serving as regional tutor in Divé maky for the Vranov district.

Dagmar Hrušková
Program Tutor, Banská Bystrica Region
dhruskova@divemaky.sk

Although I tried different occupations after graduating from my secondary school, I always had the dream of becoming a teacher. I managed to do that later, when I already had children of my own – thanks to my spiritual father who taught my daughter. At the Comenius University's School of Theology I majored in teaching of Religion and Ethical Education. This was not enough for me so I later studied… viac

Although I tried different occupations after graduating from my secondary school, I always had the dream of becoming a teacher. I managed to do that later, when I already had children of my own – thanks to my spiritual father who taught my daughter. At the Comenius University's School of Theology I majored in teaching of Religion and Ethical Education. This was not enough for me so I later studied my favourite subject – History – and after that the Comenius University's De­partment of Special Education. For sixteen years I have been working at the Závadka nad Hronom Elementary School. I love my occupation and would not swap it for anything else. I teach my pupils that we have to have dreams and although they may seem unattainable, we have to wake up and persistently work to fulfil them. And why Divé maky? My class is full of skilful young people. One of the leading students is Svetlanka. She is a great pupil, a talented poet and her artistic and musical talents are also noteworthy. And she has something more that makes her an outstanding Romany girl. She is very conscientious, goal-oriented and lucky to have a great family who supports her. Another pupil enrolled in the project is Miško who has an extraordinary artistic talent but is also a skilled football, bass guitar and bass player. When you have such amazing children around you, you are more than happy to do such small things such as to fill out an application write a recommendation. The rest is in their hands. I do not sort people according to colour. I like to open my arms and caress or praise skilful people regardless of their race. If we do not offer the chance to the best ones and the most industrious ones, if we do not let them live the story of Cinderella, than nothing will change. On the contrary, we may kill their desire to break free from stereotypes of their ethnicity. The name “Divé maky” means wild poppies, beautiful flowers that underwent cultivation and turned into flowers that decorate royal gardens. The cultivation took many years but the painstaking work by gardeners paid off. So if we once had the patience with the flowers, let us also give a chance to children of Divé maky.

Mariana Pehelová
Program Tutor, Banská Bystrica Region
mpehelova@divemaky.sk

I studied Business and Entrepreneurship at the Secondary Vocational School for Girls, and later graduated from the Constantine The Philosopher University where i majored in Social Work focused on Romany communities. At this point I am on the maternity leave. I worked as an Assistant Mediation and Probation Officer…viac

I studied Business and Entrepreneurship at the Secondary Vocational School for Girls, and later graduated from the Constantine The Philosopher University where i majored in Social Work focused on Romany communities. At this point I am on the maternity leave. I worked as an Assistant Mediation and Probation Officer for the Romany issues at the Vranov nad Topľou District Authority. Since 1997 I have been serving as a volunteer at the nongovernmental organization KVOZ – Láčho drom where I lead free time activities for children and the youth. I also took different courses such as Accounting for NGOs or the Romany Assistant course. Then I took a job at the Pečovská Nová Ves Elementary School. At the same time I work halftime at a Community Centre where I am responsible for accounting, field work, social work with the Romany community, pre-school education, organizing and leading free time activities for children, leading the Cooking Club, organizing and leading seminars for teenagers on sexual and health education and family education, remedial tutoring to elementary school children, and tutoring children who wish to study at a secondary school. In 2004 I managed and led activities of the Šimovoce Community Centre under a project by Phare that founded 10 community centres. In addition to my maternity leave I also voluntarily serve as a Deputy Chair of the Škovránok Maternity Centre in Kokava nad Rimavicou. In July 2005 I took up the task of being a regional Divé maky Program Tutor for the Bratislava Region.

Monika Sendreiová
Program Tutor, Banská Bystrica Region 

Stanislav Cina

Program Tutor, Prešov Region

I studied pedagogy for the smallest children (1sr grade of elementary schools) focusing on Roma culture at the Pedagogical University, Nitra. During my studies I worked as an assistant lecturer… viac

I studied pedagogy for the smallest children (1sr grade of elementary schools) focusing on Roma culture at the Pedagogical University, Nitra. During my studies I worked as an assistant lecturer at the Roma Culture Department exploring the field of the Roma language and Roma history. In this respect, I have closely cooperated with the Institute of Roma European Studies in Banská Bystrica, the Pedagogical Faculty of the Prešov University and ROCEPOM at the Methodological and Pedagogical Centre in Prešov focusing also on training for teachers of Roma children. I have written several university texts and publications for teachers. I worked actively in the area of education and training of Roma children during my four-year assignment at the Centre for Leisure Time as a pedagogical professional and later, for five years as a teacher at the preparatory course for elementary school studies at the 3rd Stropkov Elementary School. I have been also active in the non-profit sector having cooperated with the Open Society Foundation: ranging from the regional information and advisory centre for the Roma to my active involvement in granting scholarships for secondary school and university Roma students. I have been working as a tutor for talented Roma children under the auspices of Divé Maky since October 2007 on a temporary basis.

Mgr. Roman Eštočák
Program Tutor, Prešov and Košice Region
restocak@divemaky.sk

I studied at the Constantine The Philosopher University in Nitra at the Faculty of Social Sciences and earned a Master's in Social Work. Following my graduation I started to work in the Open Society Foundation in Bratislava as a Program Coordinator of the Romany grant… viac

I studied at the Constantine The Philosopher University in Nitra at the Faculty of Social Sciences and earned a Master's in Social Work.
Following my graduation I started to work in the Open Society Foundation in Bratislava as a Program Coordinator of the Romany grant program Vaš Amenge focused on resolving social and educational problems of the socially handicapped Romany in the society.
Over the years 2003 – 2005 I have been leading and managing activities of the Pečovská Nová Ves Community Centre. I cooperated with the Office of the Slovak Government, National Minorities Section (Phare Program 03 – Support To and Founding Of Community Centres).
In the years 2004 –2005 I have been teaching the Romany language as a Visiting Lecturer at the Faculty of Philosophy, Department of Social Work and Training of Adults.
Since 2005 I have been serving as a Regional Tutor for the Divé maky program in the Prešov and Košice region.