B92, Zorka team up to build safe houses

Zorka Ceramics and Zorka Opeka, members of Alas Holding, have signed a contract with the B92 Foundation for the construction of safe houses in Vojvodina. B92 and the Vojvodina Executive have launched a campaign to build a network of safe houses in Vojvodina as part of a project called “For Our Children”, whose aims are threefold: to draw public attention to the effects of domestic violence in Serbia; to find concrete mechanisms for child protection; and to launch development and educational projects. B92, Zorka team up to build safe houses Zorka Ceramics and Zorka Opeka have provided building material, blocks and ceramic tiles worth EUR 10,000, which are needed to complete construction of safe houses for female and child victims of domestic violence in Zrenjanin and Sombor. The contract was signed by Markus Bogdanovic, Managing Partner at Alas International, and B92 CEO Veran Matic, on behalf of the B92 Foundation. Bogdanovic said that attracting public attention to the issue of domestic violence was an important step towards finding solutions for a problem that affected all society. “As well as drawing public attention to the problem and the consequences of domestic violence, this initiative, launched by B92 with Mr. Veran Matic at the helm and the Vojvodina Executive, is an important step towards finding concrete, institutional solutions for society to resolve this problem,“ he said. "I am certain that the joint involvement of the media, institutions and companies like Zorka Keramika and Zorka Opeka in resolving this problem, provides a clear light at the end of the tunnel, and a confirmation that all of us can do our bit in our respective surroundings,“ stressed Bogdanovic. Following the completion of two safe houses in Belgrade, the plan is to complete construction of further safe houses in Vojvodina. Both houses will cover 267 square meters and will accomodate up to 20 people. Matic said that the donation meant that roofs could be put on the safe houses in Zrenjanin and Sombor, the main prerequisite for the works to start immediately. “The most important thing is that all the necessary documents have been prepared for both locations, which is something that could have been a great obstacle. However, we have managed to finalize everything on this matter and, now, we are starting to build the house“ said the B92 CEO. "That is the easiest part of the job. The houses are being built in line with a certain blueprint, according to European standards, and everything has been thought out in advance. The good thing is that we have nice weather to start the construction, and I think that both houses will be complete by the end of this year,“ he predicted. Zorka Ceramics and Zorka Opeka are members of Alas Holding, part of the Austrian ASAMER Group, which entered the Serbian market in 2001 by taking part in the privatization of the Beocin Cement Plant. Today, Alas Holding consists of four large, successful companies - Zorka Ceramics, Zorka Opeka, Zorka Alas Stone and Alas Rakovac. Last year, the B92 Foundation built two shelters in Belgrade as part of the aforementioned campaign. Matic also announced upcoming charity campaigns in the fields of health care and road safety. A model of the planned safe houses (B92)

B92, Zorka team up to build safe houses

Zorka Ceramics and Zorka Opeka have provided building material, blocks and ceramic tiles worth EUR 10,000, which are needed to complete construction of safe houses for female and child victims of domestic violence in Zrenjanin and Sombor.

The contract was signed by Markus Bogdanović, Managing Partner at Alas International, and B92 CEO Veran Matić, on behalf of the B92 Foundation.

Bogdanović said that attracting public attention to the issue of domestic violence was an important step towards finding solutions for a problem that affected all society.

“As well as drawing public attention to the problem and the consequences of domestic violence, this initiative, launched by B92 with Mr. Veran Matić at the helm and the Vojvodina Executive, is an important step towards finding concrete, institutional solutions for society to resolve this problem,“ he said.

"I am certain that the joint involvement of the media, institutions and companies like Zorka Keramika and Zorka Opeka in resolving this problem, provides a clear light at the end of the tunnel, and a confirmation that all of us can do our bit in our respective surroundings,“ stressed Bogdanović.

Following the completion of two safe houses in Belgrade, the plan is to complete construction of further safe houses in Vojvodina. Both houses will cover 267 square meters and will accomodate up to 20 people.

Matić said that the donation meant that roofs could be put on the safe houses in Zrenjanin and Sombor, the main prerequisite for the works to start immediately.

“The most important thing is that all the necessary documents have been prepared for both locations, which is something that could have been a great obstacle. However, we have managed to finalize everything on this matter and, now, we are starting to build the house“ said the B92 CEO.

"That is the easiest part of the job. The houses are being built in line with a certain blueprint, according to European standards, and everything has been thought out in advance. The good thing is that we have nice weather to start the construction, and I think that both houses will be complete by the end of this year,“ he predicted.

Zorka Ceramics and Zorka Opeka are members of Alas Holding, part of the Austrian ASAMER Group, which entered the Serbian market in 2001 by taking part in the privatization of the Beočin Cement Plant.

Today, Alas Holding consists of four large, successful companies - Zorka Ceramics, Zorka Opeka, Zorka Alas Stone and Alas Rakovac.

Last year, the B92 Foundation built two shelters in Belgrade as part of the aforementioned campaign. Matić also announced upcoming charity campaigns in the fields of health care and road safety.