It is a good feeling to see that the entire country has moved in relation to the Covid orphans, national cooperation has been achieved, and party battles have also been pushed into the background - Anita Herczeg told Origo about all of this. According to the wife of the President of the Republic, János Áder, all this gives rise to great optimism. He also said that the number of Covid orphans known to date is more than 800, and more than 500 families are affected. When the original decision was made, we were thinking of a smaller task, but life shaped it differently, he added.

When we announced the establishment of the foundation, but the court registration had not yet taken place, specific requests already came. At that time, my husband, János Áder, provided immediate help to families from his presidential position. Of course, I talked to school principals: including a principal whose school had two families affected by the Covid-orphanage: so I got to know the opinions of people who have known the families in question for years. This is how you can find the most useful solution. In June, I am planning a cross-country tour to meet the families.

During the coronavirus epidemic, I was constantly confronted with the fact that more and more children were left orphaned every day. During those weeks, the focus was on talking about the epidemic with my husband, friends, and acquaintances. That's when we started thinking about how many families this tragedy might affect - not long after, I got the news that 500 children had been left orphaned. It was a heartbreaking number.

That's when we decided that an independent organization was needed. This would be the best way to help those who are in deep trouble through no fault of their own. With such a large number of children, priority, special help is needed. That's when the decision was made, and then the announcement.

Unfortunately, by the time the foundation was registered, this number had grown to 800 people and 500 families were affected. It is very important to see that behind the mere numbers there are individual destinies and tragedies. When the decision was made to create the foundation, we thought of an even smaller task - but life shaped it differently. All this only confirmed in me that a very good decision was made.

The foundation is named after István Regőczi, a Catholic priest who gathered orphaned children around him throughout his life. He gave shelter and food to all those he took in. A true role model for organizations dealing with orphans!

Many offers were received, large entrepreneurs and companies mainly offered financial support. Of course, really useful help for the foundation will be if we receive regular support not only now, but also in the future. We plan for the foundation to operate for two decades: we want to help and support the now orphaned babies until they become adults. The really good solution is to find long-term supporters.

In terms of donations, we exceeded HUF 200 million. However, if for the 800 children we only receive an average monthly subsidy of HUF 50,000, HUF 480 million will be needed per year. Obviously, we will not provide a uniform support, like the state orphan care, but a differentiated one, since the degree of need and the arising needs are different.

Our main goal is to accompany those who are now in great trouble until we succeed in getting them started in life. We're not going to let go of anyone's hand when they're 18 if they're not ready. I could compare it to when parents let go of their child's hand over time.

Source and featured image and the full interview: origo.hu