The pretty side of our job – working with children
“We have become like family, all of us. I would say that the Older brother, older sister program had a great effect on our closeness and friendship. And all of it is the pretty part of our job – working with children.” – stated Andrijana Jankovic, who has had the role of the older sister for two years now. Adrijana is also a second-year student of defectology in Foca, and a long-time volunteer at Citizens' Association Tracak nade in Foca.
What was Adrijana’s motivation for taking the older sister role, how did she spend time with her younger brother, with what positive role-model behavior did she influence his life, and what does she advise others regarding the volunteering? You will find the answers to these questions in the continuation of this interesting dialog.
Why did you decide to enroll in the program? How did you find out about the opportunity to be an older sister?
Considering that I was already volunteering for “Tracak Nade” association, I found out about the project from coordinator Jelena, she had mentioned it. I decided to enroll as I had already been working on some of my workshops with kids, but this is more meaningful. This way, I can actually be an older sister to someone. I am the youngest sister in my family, so I understand what it meant to me to have some kind of support and reinforcement doing common things, which they had taught me and I know just how much would kids appreciate it.
There are many things that make the socialization of Adrijana and her younger brother Petar special, but it makes it even more special and meaningful knowing the fact she is younger than her younger brother. As well as the fact that she is the one who day after day shows him that he can be joyful and have his days filled only with happy moments, even though he has cerebral palsy.
Asking her what was it that Petar likes to do and what did he enjoy from the bottom of his heart, Adrijana gave us the reply:
“Petar never refused to do anything, he always had the energy and will to do things. All of my questions about whether he was tired were answered with no. Even when we were climbing the monument at Tjentiste, I noticed he was exhausted, but he didn’t want to stop so as not to fall behind others. I realized that and asked him to stop because of me, saying I was exhausted, to which he replied fine, but he never gets tired and found nothing hard to do. He likes those associations the most, as long as there are a lot of people, and he loves to help. For example, he would hear someone asking for help at the other end of the table and be first there to help.
I would also especially like to mention our educational workshops conceived to learn manners in restaurants and cinema because my Petar is hyperactive, and he would start blabbering with someone or throwing popcorn. And that is exactly why we have organized such a workshop. We gathered in the Center and made something similar to a home cinema, and together with the children learned how to behave. Firstly, we talked to them, asking them what they think about how they should behave in the cinema or theater, whether one can bring popcorn in the theater or just cinema, how to use a fork and knife in a restaurant, and such sort of things which are supposed to be taught by an older sister.”
Are you planning on continuing to volunteer and socialize in this manner with Petar next year as well?
“Yes to both questions. I am going to continue to volunteer after the project, and I hope that we will continue to socialize next year during the project. I would keep it this way just because of our going out and socialization, which they don’t experience in everyday life, namely going to a restaurant or taking a walk with someone in town. It means a great deal to them, to my Petar it means a lot when I take him to the game, when I take him to the stadium it means the world to him. So I would love to continue hanging out, not only with him but also with all other participants, in such a manner.
Bearing in mind you are a student of defectology, do you have a message for young people? Why should they take this call, and why should they volunteer, and give their free time and support to the associations?
“Everyone has the right to spend their free time as they choose, but I consider the time spent like this the most beautiful. When I help someone and see a smile on their face, evoked by something minimal we have done, and our time contributed, I find that the most splendid thing someone can do for himself. We are working for them, but we are actually working more for ourselves, and that is why one should volunteer.
Regarding the major, I would love it if people would be more informed about what we do, and about people with disability. Foremostly they are people, and then they are people with disability. I would like it if we were more engaged in their integration. Nowadays, it is much better than it used to be, but it is still not on a level it should be on because we are all equal in our differences.”
Volunteer
Amila Ibrahimovic
