She has known about DOFE since she was a little girl. Her father, Sir Charles Abrahams, was involved in the programme from the very beginning. But she couldn't do DOFE herself, as it was only for boys during her teenage years. But Helena Felix and her mother, Lady Louise Abrahams, were instrumental in bringing DOFE to the Czech Republic. And today she is an honorary member of the programme's board of trustees.
The story of Czech DOFE actually started in your kitchen, right?
Yes, one night in early 1990 I came home late, my husband and children were asleep. But in the kitchen was our Czech au pair, Hana Zárubová. I talked to her about bringing the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award programme to the Czech Republic.
Why do you think it was important for DOFE to start operating in the Czech Republic?
I was convinced, and still am, that it would be great for young people who were educated in the communist system, as well as their teachers. But I had no idea how to do it myself.
Helena Felix with Bohuslav Záruba, former director of the Gymnasium Zlín - Lesní čtvrt'.
And here we are at the point that coincidence played a bit of a role in DOFE's operation in the Czech Republic, didn't it?
Yes, to my surprise, Hana told me that her father is the director of the grammar school in Zlín. Then I described it to my mother, who was from Czechoslovakia. So together we decided to give it a try.
Read an interview with Bohuslav Záruba, former headmaster of the Gymnasium Zlín - Lesní čtvrt'
What do you think are the main values of DOFE?
I think it's very important that young people have the independence that they can experience in the programme. Plus, it's great how the programme is for everyone - even children from orphanages. And I think that's really important.
And it's a non-competitive program. A young person doesn't compare himself to anyone else but himself. And especially in this day and age where young people spend a lot of time on social media. And there everyone wants to look the best, the biggest, it's great that in DOFE they don't have to compete with anyone.
How do you see where DOFE has moved in thirty years in the Czech Republic?
I was afraid at first that it wouldn't catch on in the Czech Republic. It has a long, English title. But it's great to see how far the program has come. And when I see how many young people finish, for example, the gold level, I'm very happy.
