The Movement On Own Feet - Centipede

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Awards and Decorations

  • October 28, 1996: Distinguished Service Medal, Grade II, given by president Vaclav Havel
  • March 19, 1997: Norwegian Queen Sonja visited Centipede school in Slany
  • September 23, 1998: Audience of the Centipede children by Pope John Paul II in Vatican
  • July 17, 1999: Meeting of the Centipede children with Kofi Annan, Secretary General of the United Nations
  • October 20, 2000: publication of the book “If all the children of the world…”
  • May 17, 2001: Medal given by Gen.Lt. Dodson “For Professional Excellence”
  • December 11, 2001: performance of the Centipede children on the concert at the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Nobel Prize for Peace
  • December 14, 2001: Cross of Merit of the Minister of Defence Mr. Jaroslav Tvrdik, Grade III
  • March 28, 2002: Minister of Defence Mr. Jaroslav Tvrdík decorated Mrs. Bela Gran Jensen with the Cross of Merit, Grade II, Mrs. Lenka Stetinova from the Office of the President with the Cross of Merit, Grade III and Mrs. Jaroslava Spevackova from the elementary artistic school in Plzen with the Cross of Merit, Grade III
  • At the same occasion, the Honorary Commemorative Badge of Premysl Otakar II, was granted to Mrs. Jirina Dolezalova from the elementary school in Velke Porici and to Mrs. Hana Kapplerova, director of the elementary school in Chánov, by Chief of the General Staff of the Czech Army Lt.Gen. Pavel Stefka


  • October 3, 2002: Award “Important Czech woman in the world” to Mrs. Bela Gran Jensen
  • March 14, 2004: Commemorative Badge to the 5th Anniversary of Czech Republic's Joining NATO, given by Chief of the General Staff of the Czech Army Lt.Gen. Pavel Stefka
  • March 29, 2004: At the occasion of the Teachers’ Day, Minister of Defence Mr. Miroslav Kostelka decorated with the Cross of Merit Mgr. Ján Drtil (director of elementary school of Lt. Lom in Pribor), Ms. Miloslava Kubatova (elementary school in Spalene Porici), Ms. Milena Plechacova (15th elementary school in Plzen), Ms. Katerina Vavrova (elementary school Kladska in Prague) and Ms. Milada Fojtikova (elementary school in Kostelec nad Labem)
  • Chief of the General Staff of the Czech Army Lt.Gen. Pavel Stefka decorated with the Honorary Commemorative Badge of Premysl Otakar II Dr. Iva Hodkova from the Psychiatric hospital for children in Oparany and Ms. Jaroslava Steflova, editor of the Pedagogical News

  • At the occasion of the 5th anniversary of Czech Republic´s Joining NATO, Mrs. Bela Gran Jensen was decorated with the Medal; at the same time, this is appreciation for all the teachers, children and Centipede friends who try with their devoted help to ease the lives of the children in the war-affected areas.


  • Chief of the General Staff of the Czech Army Lt.Gen. Pavel Stefka decorated during the visit in Ledec nad Sazavou Mrs. Bela Jensen and Astrid Hagen Huerta with the Honorary Commemorative Badge of Premysl Otakar II, the King of Iron and Gold
  • On May 28, 2005 Mrs. Bela was admitted to the Order of St. Lazarus of Jerusalem and she was decorated as "Officer". The ceremonious decorating as the officer of the Order is a great evaluation of her long time work as a president of the movement whose main purpose is helping the people in need who are not able to help themselves.


  • On Monday, June 23, 2006, a festive ceremony of handing over the award “D – the sixth thanking” took place in the National Theatre in Prague. One of the nominees was Centipede – on Own Feet, for its help to the children affected by war.
  • On Tuesday, February 5, 2007 Chief of the General Staff of the Czech Army Lt.Gen. Pavel Stefka decorated Mrs. Milena Plechacova, Mgr. Helena Dufkova and Mgr. Jiri Seffl with the Honorary Commemorative Badge of Premysl Otakar II, the King of Iron and Gold


  • Since 1997, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic awards with the award Gratias Agit the dedicated people from all over the world who promote the Czech Republic abroad with their wonderful work. On June 19, 2007, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, Mr. Karel Schwarzenberg presented the Gratias Agit award to the movement „On own Feet“ – Centipede.


  • On September 28, 2012 Mrs. Bìla won in joint project of the Czech Radio and Television "Czech in the World 2012".



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