Sponsor's update from Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovenia

Child sponsorship update from the SOS Children's Village Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovenia from Winter 2007/2008

Dear friend,

I hope our letter finds you in good health!

During this year our children gave their best in school, in extracurricular activities, tried their best to fit among peers in new schools, they pushed hard to meet new requirements, to live up to self expectations and plans. The smallest children learned to walk and talk and those bit older to write and count… It was not an easy job!

We can honestly say this was challenging year for them all! As always - we have many things to be proud of. But there was one event that highlighted somehow - it was extraordinary musical prepared by our children gathered in drama club in SOS Social Centre in Sarajevo and performed before a real audience of professionals and those who love theatre. It was done by the original Broadway script of musical CHICAGO!
For months our youngsters prepared for this. They worked hard trying to keep up with school on one side and rehearsal obligations on another. They all managed and made us speechless once it was on the stage. Prior to performance, which was held in Sarajevo’s new, modern and well equipped theatrical spaces, a press conference was organised. Children from our SOS Children’s Village and SOS Social Centre participated and answered all ‘tricky’ journalist questions like the real professionals. But they really only waited for the lights to go down and music starts - so they could show us! It was pure bursting energy of youth! This photo is just one capture and just a peek into the spectacle.

A family for children

Families in SOS Children’s Village Sarajevo embraced another eight children. Each and every child carries own different tragedy - but we hope and do our best to help them find equal and same happiness here with us. Three siblings, whose parents are alive but neglected caring for their children, were admitted in January. Now they completely accepted living in the new family. Their school success and contacts with other children and adults shows they are successfully dealing with trauma.

Eleven years old girl who never spent a day in school is also with us since the March. She is now intellectually developing well - her teacher helps her a lot and SOS mother is supporting her with love and tenderness.

One of our boys was told his biological sister is coming to live with him. In addition to keeping in mind that the new child will have to fit in, our educational team also needed to work with the boy on accepting his sister. But our fears were in vain - they just looked in each other and felt it.

Recently two sibling sisters came - their destiny was to have an alcoholic father and tough life after mother’s death. The highlight of their life upon arrival in the village was that they actually owned a toy for the first time in their lives. Those were Barbie dolls - one for each.

And the last but not the least is the boy - he grew up in SOS Children’s Village Sarajevo, but was returned to his biological mother. It was very emotional separation from SOS family for him. But wish to have normal life and his mother around made him leave with joy. Unfortunately, faith was not for him to stay with his mother for long. He returned to our village - his mother was no longer able to care for him. Now he is living in SOS Youth Facility, attending secondary school and preparing himself for an independent life. His wounds are visible but healing helped by immense love by SOS mother and his SOS brothers and sisters.

Looking to the future

Sometimes life can be cruel to us but dealing with it is our mission, and that is what we are teaching our children. It doesn’t matter how cloudy and rainy gets - the sun always comes out eventually.

The educational team has very responsible job in the village. Our children are very demanding - and they always have to find the new, more efficient ways to work with them. One of the novelties is ‘game playing’ in which the whole family participates. SOS aunts were educated to organise and lead such educational activity. These activities are mainly oriented to support children’s right to play. It also helps developing personality and connections within the family. It gives children perspective of seeing other family members in different situations then usual.

Our SOS Youth Facilities - to be specific - three of them are filled with youngsters and their specific issues. There is a saying in Bosnia ‘small children - small worry, big children - big worry’. The first falling-in-love, school issues, ‘nobody-understands-me’ attitudes mixed with transition from child to adult can be very challenging. In dealing with it, our staff in youth facilities is constantly supported by teams of professionals and, as the most important, by SOS mothers, who know their children the best.

Our youngsters are very successful - some of them are studying at the university, some of them are seeking job, making plans, organising lives… It is not always easy as we are all living in very difficult times and in the country with undeveloped economy, but struggling is our way of living. We are sure our children will make their way.

At the end, our best wishes go your way.

Thank you for believing in our mission by which every child needs a family and every child deserves a family! Without your trust and support the life of many children would be different and harder. God bless you! May all your wishes come true and all your worries go away!

Sincerely,

Dzenita Subasic Radonic
National sponsorship coordinator