Boy's smile is my motivation
The Association for Development and Education of Youth “Siguran Korak” was founded by young Romanis and non-romani, with the aim of creating a safe space for young, women and marginalized groups and the fight for their rights. One of their projects is the Older brother, older sister, of which they have been part since 2020, creating a happy childhood for kids and young in Bijeljina together with volunteers. One of the active and diligent volunteers is Begzada Jovanovic, to whom we have spoken about her motivation for participating in the program, her volunteering experience, and her effective socialization with a boy.
How did you find out about the program, and what inspired you to apply?
“I saw the inquiry on the internet so I contacted them, joined the program, and started volunteering. At first, I found the project and suggested to the association to join it because children who are socially vulnerable and of other nationalities really need such a project for sake of inclusion, but also to get out of their surroundings, to meet people, and socialize. I am a Romani and I have been through all the things these kids are going through, and I have been late to school like them, I know how it feels, and that is why I have chosen to work with the kids.”
How long have you been socializing with the child?
“I have been associating with the same child for two years now. I think that if you socialize with the same child for a long period, the results will yield. I had already seen his results and accomplishments, but I decided it would be better to continue to socialize with him because he doesn’t speak Serbian, and I can understand the Romani language, so we are learning both languages.”
How old is the boy, and can you tell us something about him?
“The boy is 10 years old. He comes from a multi-member family, living with even 10 brothers and sisters. They live in quite rough conditions, in a house with no electricity, and have water only outside, so they have to melt it during the winter to be able to drink it. When we started to meet up, we have been speaking in both languages. We studied together, so he overcame the language barrier a little and started to be more active in school, and I noticed there were traces of development. The boy was really reserved, but he started talking now and the positive changes are visible. Thanks to the qualitative intervention of the center for social work, they often visit his family and the situation is somewhat under control. The kid has remarkably come along, the smile on his face is there when I come to pick him up, which is undoubtedly colossal motivation to go on.”
In what way do you suppose you have positively influenced him?
“The positive parameters of our socialization are numerous. For example, at the very beginning, I had noticed the boy is having a hard time regarding school obligations so I decided to work on it together. During our two-hour association, in the first hour, we do anything he wants to do, including play time, lunch, walking, etc. and during the second one, we do homework. I am immensely gleeful to see that desired results could be accomplished by such a work.”
What would you say to other volunteers, why should they enroll in the program?
“Participation in the program is important because you foremostly help yourself, and on the other hand, you are helping some boy or girl. I recommend it to everyone who wants to make a positive change, volunteer, because there truly isn’t a better feeling than volunteering with children, especially when the children are at risk, and you can see the progress which gives meaning to every such work.”
The interview was done by:
Amila Ibrahimovic, volunteer of the Foundation for Support and Development of the Mentorship Program Older brother, older sister
