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President’s Visit to Zavod Hrastovec

Ljubljana, 04/11/2007  |  press release

President of the Republic of Slovenia, Dr Janez Drnovšek, today visited the Zavod Hrastovec (Institution for people with special needs), where he was received by its director, Mr. Josip Lukač.

As to its organisation and the professional approach, the institution having 24 units and giving shelter to 650 persons aspires to be among the best of its kind in this part of Europe. It is for this reason, as well as for the benefit of persons with special needs that the personnel try to introduce in their work up-to-date solutions and an innovative approach; the trend is toward deinstitutionalisation and toward more alternative forms of living.

Within the Zavod Hrastovec area, the President of the Republic also visited the farm of Rožengrunt pri Sv. Ani, where eleven persons of the institution live in the natural environment and in harmony with the local community. They are entirely independent in providing for their own daily needs, they care for the farm and small animals and do the gardening.

In addition, the Slovenian President, Dr Drnovšek, visited the isolated housing unit of the institution, where even the most demanding people in care are offered pleasant daily living conditions.

At the end of his visit, Dr Drnovšek praised the work of the personnel. He said that one could feel that their work was being done whole-heartedly and added that he was leaving the institution with excellent impressions.