Emília Stehlíková (l), Horná Súča mayor Jakub Ondračka, and Stehlíková's mom Johana. (source: Maroš Buchel)
Johana Stehlíková, 78, has lived all her life with her daughter Emília, 51, in the small settlement of Stehlíkovce surrounded by nature. The settlement is located near the village of Horná Súča, Trenčín Region. In addition to struggling with epileptic seizures all her life, for many years she also suffered from serious vision problems.
Both women live away from civilization, in very modest conditions without running water, in a house a few hundred years old. Its roof is falling apart, the windows rotting.
The village as well as its residents try to help them. Although both women have a difficult life in this remote place, Emília claims that she has gotten used to it.
Loneliness leaves a mark on a person
Johana Stehlíková has vision problems. Living with her in their native house, her daughter Emília has been taking care of her for many years. According to the village cadastre, the house has stood there for 304 years and was built by the Stehlík family ancestors.
"We, as a community, take care of Johana, acting as her guardian. The village receives her pension and we buy them medicine, food, or whatever they need," says Jakub Ondračka, Mayor of Horná Súča.
Municipality employees shop for them every month. From time to time, the municipality also tries to save some money for them.
"If we manage to save some, we buy them wood for winter, which they use for heating, since they are not connected to gas. They cook on a stove that uses solid fuel," the mayor explains.
Emília does not work, compensated for being her mother's caregiver. Other people from the village also try to help them get by.
