Case studies: former SOS child Sarajevo, Bosnia

His head was leaned against an old speaker. His small hand nervously turned the knob. Soon it will start. He trembled. Outside the shooting stopped. In deadly silence people rushed to their homes. A powerful voice announced the beginning. The boy listened with fanatic devotion. The hour of the Hordes of Evil has struck.

The Boy Who Knows the Force
This is a story of a young boy and a force. No Jedi's in it. The story first tells of how the force left the boy. In no way related to master Yoda and his apprentice. Then it tells of how the force returned even stronger. For the last time, there are no light sabres or Wookies here, and I will not give out the end!

He was tiny, slim, with big dark scared eyes and a fragile appearance. His painfully obvious anaemia made me fear for his health. He didn't have any hygienic and domestic habits. Orphan at eleven, this shyly smiling war witness looked at me puzzled with the new surrounding and unclear with his whereabouts.

When she talks about Senad, SOS mother Mevlida Gavric cannot hide her strong emotions. Utter sadness when she speaks of the little boy, deep seriousness when she thinks of the mischievous pupil and glowing pride when she tells of the young man - first to leave the care of SOS Children's Villages Bosnia and Herzegovina and pursue an independent life in the real world.

A Frail Boy's Silent Cry for Help
Senad was born on a cold November day in 1986. An only child, he lived through the war in Sarajevo under siege with his parents. At the age of ten he lost his mother, and a year later his father passed away. Social services sought his new home in a haven where powerful force habitats - SOS Children's Village Sarajevo.

'Impulsive character, modest vocabulary, poor working habits, emotionally hungry' were some of the personal characteristics typed on thin yellow paper with the bolded name of Senad Zec on top. "When he first came to the village in late autumn of 1998, Senad visited mine and another "SOS family". Both of us SOS mothers wanted to take him, so we decided to leave it up to him," remembers Mevlida.

Senad chose the family of the Hedgehog house. "It might be he preferred a house with more children. I had five at the time and the other SOS mother only two," says Mevlida. "I think he thought he'd hide better in a noisy house." Mevlida had to feed the boy, literally and figuratively.

The adaptation in the new family went at times smooth, at times difficult. It took a few weeks for Senad to learn to make his bed, pick up his clothes, tidy his room and, twice a day, brush his teeth. He disliked but accepted his chores to help with the dishes, clean the bathroom and take out the garbage.

Mom's open arms and loving words gave the boy a place to hide and feel safe. He found out that this place can also sometimes be strict and reprimanding. But he learnt that mom's embrace is the one place for which he never needs a ticket, a reservation or even a reason. This is exactly why Senad doesn't mind his SOS mother's, in his words, 'terrible choice in life'...

The Passion Called Sarajevo

Just like the small river of Miljacka splits Sarajevo in half, so are the people of Sarajevo clearly divided on the issue of life's most important side matter. Since 1946 the burgundy and the blue, Football Club Sarajevo and Football Club Zeljeznicar, have been the reason for many bitter disputes and fierce fights between all people who proudly call themselves Sarajlije (for those born in Sarajevo).

Senad is a passionate FC Sarajevo fan. The beginning of this text tells of Senad's first memory: Sarajevo's 1995 victory over the city rival with five goals difference. He says he pressed his ear so hard against the speaker that it hurt him for two days afterwards. "It was played only three days before my birthday," explains Senad. "That and the future European Champion title are my best birthday gifts ever!"

This 18-year-old football aficionado is a walking encyclopaedia of the burgundy club. He can recite statistics, names, scores, table standings, Koshevo stadium measures and all songs of the Hordes of Evil - FC Sarajevo's loyal fans with scary name and calm nature. "I like to sit with the Hordes on the North," begins Senad. "If I see trouble coming, I keep aside. Not much of it goes on though. People had enough fighting."

SOS mother Mevlida has understanding for her son's passion. "Football helped him overcome his childhood traumas rather quickly. In the past seven years the only times I remember I've seen him sad was when my team, Zeljeznicar, would beat Sarajevo. After one such game, I called him offering comfort. He didn't want to speak to me." Senad's anger with his mom's football choice lasts only a couple of hours.

Dribbling to Friendship
Mevlida says football also helped Senad make friends in the village. He first found common language with Mujo, village master and another FC Sarajevo fan. A father figure Senad needed, Mujo's unconditional acceptance helped the boy find his place in the village. "Whenever I could spare time or while I worked in the shop, we'd talk about football, then kick and dribble the ball on the village square," says Mujo.

Then one day Almedin happened to stand close to where the ball rolled off. Alen was around and tomboy Dzeni can never sit still while a game is on. Soon Senad's circle of friends grew bigger. With them he shared a ball, a game, a passion and a childhood. He learned to win, to lose, to fall and to rise after each fall.

"It is very important that Senad found football so fulfilling," explains Sinisa, the village educator. "He came to us at a sensitive age. Withdrawn and poignant by nature, but open to bad influences, he could've easily taken the wrong path. Through football he channelled his energy and built character."

Amongst his friends, Senad is known as a reliable, trustworthy boy with understanding for little vanities and forgiveness for mistakes made. He embraced his SOS mother's teaching that nobody is rich enough to refuse a friend. She encouraged him to trust people, to share, think positively and, every once in a while, to reach for the clouds. "Miracles happen every day. My family finding each other is my miracle," explains Mevlida.

The Learning of Senad

Never his favourite topic, Senad says he did pretty well in school. Why? Well, he'll tell you it's because he's done with it. After completing his primary education he enrolled to the secondary vocational school for commerce. The practical lessons gave him an opportunity to reassure himself he made the right choice and a chance to learn the secrets of the trade.

"No, no, hold it! I liked primary school," Senad jumps in with a significant smile. "I sat in the back of the classroom with Omar, my best friend at that time. Sometimes we paid attention, and most of the time I spent thinking about Ajla." The gentle blush gives him away. He admits he feels awkward talking on the subject of romance, so we drop it with a note that since recently he's single again.

Back to the subject of school, Senad explains how not all classes were boring. He especially enjoyed computer science because, as you can guess, he played football games while the teacher wasn't looking. Needless to say he also liked gym. After all, we are talking about the class's top scorer.

Time to Move On
Senad is one of the first youngsters from SOS Children's Village Sarajevo to move to the youth facility. His SOS mother was worried how he'd experience the change. "He grew stronger, but for me he stayed a tender boy. While he packed, I tried not to show how much I already missed him, especially since the other children were sad to see their big brother leave. But, deep inside I knew my boy was ready and I have to let him go."

Time proved that letting Senad go brought him even closer. In the first days of his new life in the youth facility he would call home ten times a day. For months not a night passed by without a goodnight message from mom. And not a weekend went by without Senad, only a bus ride away, visiting home.

In his first year in the SOS Youth Facility, Senad had to undergo two chest surgeries. Although the procedures were considered minor routine operations, his SOS mother was worried sick. "He just healed his emotional wounds, and there he was on a hospital bed," remembers Mevlida. "I thought will it ever end for him?"

Mevlida and Admir, Senad's main care person in the youth facility, visited him every day and every day they left the hospital cheerful. "Senad was laughing, making jokes and being so full of life that to this day the thought of those moments brightens my day," says Admir.

Admir is honestly amazed with Senad's maturity. "I never had to wake him up for school, never had to tell him to clean his room, never had to reprimand him for wasting money, but I always have to remind him that Zeljeznicar frequently beats Sarajevo. You wish, big guy. When pigs fly!" giggles Senad.

Finding Place in the 9 to 5 World

Life in the Youth Facility brought new challenges on Senad's horizon. He spent two summers during his schooling working, first as temp salesman in an electrical appliances store and then as window cleaner on a gas station. Both employers made serious job offers, only Senad had higher goals.

"The first job in the store didn't pay much. I was doing school practice in that store and the owner agreed to hire me for two months over the summer. I planned to save for a new mobile, but I wasn't making as much," says Senad without much regret for the phone. "At the gas station I cleaned windows and helped in the restaurant. It was an easy job and I might've stayed had it not been for the supermarket."

In October 2004 Senad got an assistant salesman temp job in a large mall in Sarajevo. A month later his boss offered full time employment with paid benefits and higher salary. "My tasks are to maintain the beverage section. I make sure there are always enough supplies, no expired products are on the shelves and that everything is clean and neat," explains Senad professionally.

On the subject of salaries, Senad says he's not at liberty to disclose the amount of his earnings. Reliable inside sources tell us he handles his money wisely and has opened a savings account.

The Child in the Adult
Even though he is the youngest among the employees, Senad doesn't like when people think he gets off easy. "I'm just like all the other employees, I have to respect the working hours and the working rules, I have to behave politely and I know the customer is always right," says the young professional.

Senad phoned his SOS mother first to tell her of the full time offer. "He makes me so proud," Mevlida's voice changes colour to mellow tones. "I went to the store directly to his section. I hugged and kissed him and then he said 'OK mom, I have to work now'. His boss was passing by and she overheard him. She turned to me telling me how he's very responsible, reliable, punctual, open for cooperation and hard working."

"My eyes were filled with tears. I only whispered 'my son'. He didn't mind my little emotional scene. He hugged me and told me he'll come over after work to break the news to his SOS Children's Village brothers and sisters and that he'll bring a cake to celebrate. He cares so much. My boy... he kept the pure innocent child inside of him."

The Adult in the Child

Looking deeper, one really finds a child behind those big brown eyes and wide smile, a child that wasn't there when the boy first walked into SOS Children's Village Sarajevo. The love and security he found in his new home with his SOS mother and family taught him how to be a child again and enjoy every minute of it.

Senad will soon become part of the semi-independent living programme. He will move out of the youth facility and pursue other challenges. His SOS mother would like to see Senad promoted, she would like to prepare lunch for the Sunday visits and spoil the grandchildren. Sinisa and Admir would like to see their young pal settle down, and Mujo would like him to keep coming around for an afternoon game of football.

But it is not only them, Senad makes everyone at SOS Children's Village of Bosnia and Herzegovina proud. As the first one headed towards full autonomy and independence, Senad breaks the ice and leads the way of all future contributing members of the society raised in the two Bosnian SOS Children's Villages.

The spotlight has not changed him. Senad is still the kind, honest brown-eyed boy who came to the village hoping for a second chance. The young adult sees himself a father and a husband, content with life kicking back in a quiet afternoon with the sports' section reporting on the burgundy champions.

He knows very well he has to work hard and believe harder to achieve it. He is sure he will make it though, because what he takes with him when he one day leaves the care of SOS Children's Villages gives him strength to endure and prosper. A mighty force built on the grandeur of motherly love, the power of family bonds, the trust in friendships for life and the strong faith in himself, is what drives Senad forward in life.

So, will the things he learned and the things he got make it all worth while? Will the boy make it? Will there be a happy ending? I say there already is.

SOS Children has been working in Bosnia since 1994 and today has two unique SOS Children's Villages based at Sarajevo and Gracania. These children's villages care for