The foundation aims to create a positive impact on the lives of these children by fostering a sense of normalcy and joy during their hospital stays.
Main focus is on hospital visits - university student volunteers visit hospitals to engage with children through games, educational activities, and companionship; emotional care - offering emotional support and companionship to children, helping them cope with the challenges of hospitalisation educational support - providing personalized tutoring sessions and educational resources to help children keep up with their studies while in hospital; and online programmes - implementing online mentoring and tutoring programmes to support children recovering at home.
Since its inception, Amigos for Children Foundation has grown significantly, and it continues to expand its reach, aiming to have an Amigo next to every sick child.
The "Amigos Hospital Programme" aims to create equal opportunities for children hospitalised for extended periods, preventing them from falling behind in their studies or dropping out of school. It provides academic support and a supportive environment to ease social anxiety.
The programme, picked up by UniCredit Foundation through the UCF Edu-Fund Platform in 2024, targets children aged 6 to 18 who are hospitalised for long periods. These children often face educational setbacks and social isolation, requiring structured support to reintegrate into their academic and social environments.
The programme operates in 20 hospital units across six Hungarian cities, including the Paediatric Oncology Clinic at Semmelweis University. It involves 2-3 weekly visits to each unit by volunteers.
Amigos focuses on teaching foreign languages and other subjects as needed, alongside creative activities like Do It Yourself projects and board games. With 250 university student volunteers and a team of 10 professionals, the programme uses self-developed learning materials and proven methodologies. Regular meetings with psychologists and hospital teachers help identify children in need of support. The goal is to expand this successful model to other hospital units, ensuring no child is left behind, even in the most challenging circumstances.