People

‘Woman’s touch’ helps Hungarian children, clubs

Erika Hessling believes the future of Kiwanis needs a woman’s touch—specifically the expression of one’s heart and the aptitude for organizing family-oriented activities. But she isn’t just saying so; she is living that belief by creative example.

Erika Hessling autographs copies of her latest book, part of the proceeds of which help premature children.

For instance, when Erika, a member of the Kiwanis Club of Elsö Györi, Hungary, married, she followed the Hungarian tradition where a bride dances with guests at midnight during the reception. In return, guests put money into a special pot. That money typically is used toward the honeymoon or to help the couple start their new life. Erika, however, donated the sum to a hospital’s premature ward to create a mother-baby room. The project, which is supported by her Kiwanis club, also received earnings from the publication of her novel.

Formerly a nurse, Erika is now a mother of two, as well as a writer and journalist who focuses much of her work on welfare, social, and health issues. In 1993, the Ministry of Health honored her for her health and antismoking articles.

Erika has been playing an active part in the social life of Hungary since 1992, but as her career took off, she was able to include her famous contacts, including the royal Habsburg family, in her charitable work as well.

In 1994 she established the foundation Segitunk elni, or “We help you to live” to provide money for premature babies, a cause that has remained close to her heart and is a focus of her Kiwanis club, which she founded through friends and contacts in 2003.

That’s just the sort of dedication that caught the attention of Goncz Arpad, president of the republic, who personally thanked her for her creative work for the Petz Aladar County Hospital, which is home to the new mother-baby room for premature infants.

Erika is now working to expand Kiwanis in her country. At a recent conference, she was asked to be president of the predecessor of the district government, the Alliance of the Hungarian Kiwanis  Associations. With her assistance, two new clubs registered this year and five more are in the works.

“Women’s hearts and activity seem to be really needed by every creative society—by Kiwanis too,” she says.