Spouse of the Slovak President assesses the 6th year in the Presidential Palace

Spouse of the President of the Slovak Republic Mrs. Silvia Gašparovičová already for the sixth year continues working in the Office of the President of the Slovak Republic. Participation in social and representational duties, support of activities of several professional associations – not only these activities dedicated herself the First Lady of Slovakia. "This year I became the honorary president of the Slovak Red Cross and I highly appreciate the honorary membership granted to me by the Slovak Chamber of Nurses and Midwives," said the spouse of the President.

Interesting were also visits of other First Ladies in Slovakia. It becomes reality that the First Ladies alone are traveling abroad to develop and promote cooperation between states. Interested in visiting neighboring countries was the spouse of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Mrs. Hajie Turai Musa Yar’Adua. In September she accompanied her husband in a workshop in Vienna. With Mrs. Silvia Gašparovičová they had very stimulating discussions. "First Lady of Nigeria was interested in the Slovak Committee for UNICEF or the possibility of cooperation between Nigeria and Slovakia in the field of agriculture," said Mrs. Silvia Gašparovičová.

Texas Governor’s wife Mrs. Anita Perry also expressed the wish to visit Slovakia after a good experience with the Junior Chamber International, in which also our student body participates. "With a good awareness of my charity work we visited the Special Boarding School for Partially Sighted and Blind Children to see teaching with the training program Fono 2, that my foundation purchased. At a lunch we discussed the possibilities of cooperation between our countries in the field of tourism, culture and student exchanges," said the First Lady.

Mrs. Silvia Gašparovičová devoted a lot of time to aid sick, disabled and socially deprived people. The Slovak Foundation of Silvia Gašparovičová – Education and Health for Everybody supported and continues to support the education of handicapped children in special schools. "To improve their education, we bought special school and teaching aids. This year we have bought a second interactive board and other special computer programs for an interactive board, as well as the Fono 2 program which is intended to stimulate speech capabilities," said Silvia Gašparovičová. She added that the foundation continues to support the project Life without Violence, in which they are helping women endangered by domestic violence by their protection and education. With partners and sponsors the foundation managed to regain some financial outlay for cancer treatment. The foundation helped the National Transfusion Service by purchasing 12 instructional screens and 12 refrigerators for their workplaces in Slovakia.

Also this year the foundation realized the project Healthy Lifestyle of Young People in Schools. "We delivered over 10 tons of apples to schools, as well as to athletes and seniors. To increase physical activity of children and youth, we continued to promote golf at schools without parents’ financial burden by the Junior Golfers Association of Slovakia, where I have the President´s position. Each year more and more children have the chance to play on golf courses and move in nature," said the Spouse of the President.

And what are the First Lady´s plans for the next period? "From the position of the First Lady, I will continue to seek the best representation of Slovakia at home but also abroad. I will actively support projects aimed at charity, health, education, science and sport. Personally, I will also participate in projects of international importance," said Silvia Gašparovičová. This year the First Lady of Slovakia was approached by an UK foundation to join the "First Ladies Panel“ – a foundation focused on gender equality and improving of lives of African women.