Not alongside others, but together
BUGOJNO, 23 January 2007 - The Leptir Association is a non-governmental organization of volunteers, parents and friends of children with special needs. It is proving an invaluable support to family carers who otherwise would be struggling alone to meet their children’s needs. One of their projects is called “Counselling: Not alongside others, but together”. With advice and assistance from professionals from specific fields, informal workshops are run by volunteers for parents and children. In addition, learning activities take place in “Mala škola” or “Small School” where children with special needs are assessed by experts who develop a curriculum tailored to their needs and capabilities. The project is run in cooperation with the Centre for Social Work and the 3rd Primary School and is financially supported by UNICEF and the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation, NORAD, in partnership with the non-governmental organization IBHI.
Progress achieved varies according to a child’s needs and ranges from greater attentiveness to mastering motor skills. During certain classes wonderful jewellery, greeting cards, photograph frames and other accessories are made by the children. By selling these crafts, the association has a small source of revenue which can be used to fund further activities. By providing professional support to the children and their parents, and establishing a pool of trained volunteers who assist in the activities, the workshop provides ongoing opportunities for multidisciplinary teamwork for children and young people who have special needs.
Maja is one of the pupils attending the Small School and she recently celebrated her birthday with her classmates and parents sharing the occasion. The atmosphere was very cheerful and everybody was in great spirits. Ms. Biserka Bozic is the head of “Leptir” and is a mother of a child with special needs. She was keen to emphasise that this warm and jovial atmosphere is a feature of everyday life at the workshop, not just on special occasions. The children are so eagerly involved in their workshop and learning activities and the sociability of it all that they cannot hide their enthusiasm. However, for the long-term success of this project, greater support is needed from both the local community and government. At the local level, a growth in volunteer participation and support from parents is vital to the successful functioning of this institution. At the national level, legal changes to health and social policies regarding children with special needs would help ensure the progress is sustainable and ensure that the benefits continue. What is also necessary is a growth of awareness within society of the needs of the children.
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