The Charity for Balkan Children has recently had a wonderful opportunity to visit Vranje and its Daycare for Children, Youth and Adults with Physical and Intellectual Disabilities [OJ Dnevni boravak za decu, mlade i odrasle sa telesnim invaliditetom i intelektualnim teškoćama].
While there, we met up with special education teacher Jovana Petrović and Ivana Tasić, the director of the Institute for the Development of Social Protection Services in Vranje.
The two introduced us to just some of the many daily challenges the daycare’s users face, explaining what can be done to improve the quality of life of our most vulnerable groups.
The challenges children and youth with disabilities face
At first glance, the main challenges that children and youth with disabilities encounter seem apparent enough – obtaining quality education and finding employment opportunities. However, while these are certainly critical issues that must be addressed immediately, they’re just the tip of the iceberg.
The users of the daycare are underprivileged groups who struggle with virtually every aspect of life. They don’t have adequate opportunities to gain new experiences, connect with their communities, meet new people, and spend quality time outside their homes and the institutions they rely on. Most of them are marginalized individuals who aren’t given a chance to build the necessary skills that would give them even a tiny taste of independence.
That’s why it’s critical to introduce new laws and strategies to help assimilate those with disabilities into our larger communities.
For that, we need resources, improved infrastructure, and a heightened focus on equality in the workplace and beyond. Above all else, we need skilled experts who can help improve the quality of life of children, youth, and adults with physical and intellectual disabilities.
Making the world a better place one day at a time
While there’s much to be done to improve the position of children, youth, and adults with disabilities in Serbia, the daycare in Vranje is undoubtedly making the world a better place for them one day at a time.
Jovana and Ivana were more than gracious enough to show us around this essential institute and introduce us to some of the staff working there.
We were nothing short of astounded as soon as we entered the daycare. The spacious rooms are warm and welcoming, nicely furnished to ensure the utmost comfort of all users. However, what truly took our breath away were the countless children’s drawings and writings that decorate almost every wall. It’s clear that the children and youth at the daycare are well-loved and taken care of here.
Join us in helping Vranje’s Daycare for Children, Youth and Adults with Physical and Intellectual Disabilities
Though the daycare has all the essentials to ensure the comfort of its users, new donations are always needed. As it welcomes children, youth, and adults with developmental disabilities and simultaneously acts as a Safe House for women and children who were victims of domestic violence, there is always a need for futher assistance.
At the moment, clean towels and bed linens are much needed, so we’re looking at collecting them for a future donation. We would welcome any help you could provide.
In the meantime, you can learn more about our past donations in Vranje and Kruševac and how we organized them.
The Charity for Balkan Children would like to express sincere gratitude to Jovana and Ivana, who gave us a warm southern welcome in Vranje and showed us just how rewarding it is to help those in need.
