‘Currently we have green vegetation breaking through walls of some of our bedrooms’ said Zsolt Divinszky, manager of the institution located in 10th district of the capital. ‘Bathrooms are run down to extremity as showers regularly become flooded. Due to the complete lack of outward insulation we are struggling to meet heating bills near 1 million Forints (app. 3500 Euros) in wintertime!’ Somewhat surprisingly, colorful statues of elephants exhibited in downtown Budapest last year play the major role in giving vital lifeline to Segítőház.

As Elephant Holding real estate developer and organizer of the charity program said, the 15 million Forints collected at the auction of individually decorated statues will now be used to carry out complete outward insulation of the building, replacement of doors and windows as well as the complete reconstruction of bathrooms. Works will start in beginning of June and expected to last until September.

As Balázs Csikos, director of Elephant Holding said, the company plans to continue the campaign towards the future extension of the homeless shelter in coming years.

Hungarian film star, Sándor Csányi, who has been involved in charity efforts to help the shelter said: ‘It is our common interest to help homeless people to reintegrate into society, find work and be able to afford a place to live. In its present state, Segítőház, which is in fact one of the largest and most successful organizations that work for reintegration of homeless people, could not have remained in operation for much longer. This is a near escape and thanks for all who purchased elephants or donated money for the good cause.’

‘Those who wish to donate can still do it as the campaign to help homeless people has not yet ended – organizers said – there are more elephants up for grab displayed in Hungexpo exhibition area.’

The upcoming event of homeless-elephant campaign will be held on the open day of Vigo Haz on Sunday, 13 June, where filmstar, Sandor Csanyi will be performing together with homeless band."

Details of the event can be found on www.elephant.hu.