Jelena Brajša

Jelena (Jelka) Brajša (18 August 1935 – 5 November 2021) was a Croatian humanitarian and social worker, long-term president of the Caritas of the Archdiocese of Zagreb (1966–2005). She helped in establishment of several reception centers and homes for abandoned children, handicapped, old and infirm. Her father was jurist. She further educated in Paris and Lourdes. After Glas Koncila published about the case of the first received child, from July to December 1969 Zagreb's Caritas received 70 unwanted or abandoned children.

Her youngest adopted son Tomi Brajša, born without both legs,

In February 2004, she was operated on for a brain tumor.

Albert Schweitzer Medal (1992) City of Zagreb Award (1993) "Dr Kurt Waldheim" Award (1993) Person of the dialogue-Person of the year by Croatian Academic Association (1998) Humanist of the world (2000) Medal with the image of the Mother of God of the Stone Gate (2008)

Remembrance Documentary "Jelena Brajsa, der Engel von Zagreb" ("Jelena Brajša, the Angel of Zagreb") by Robert Neumüller for ORF.