Author: Vedada Sećerbajtarević
Carpe diem – Seize the day! How often do we repeat that to ourselves? Young people from Ilijaš are doing just that. That is why they named the association they founded in 2014 exactly that: Youth organization “Seize the day – Carpe diem”.
Everyone in this city knows about them, because what they have done in the past few years could not go unnoticed. The Association was established because of a simple need to show young people that they can use their free time much better. Helping others, but also themselves. One young woman with infectious enthusiasm, Elma Glamoč, is responsible for everything. She was looking for an opportunity to volunteer, but since there was no organization in her town at the time where she could volunteer, she decided to establish it herself. She gathered friends who shared her vision and desire to help others.
Neighbors from Mrakovo Local Community helped her to establish the Association, who provided money for registration. And so it began. Until today, the Youth Organization “Use the Day – Carpe Diem” has implemented dozens of projects. As a sign of gratitude to the residents of Mrakovo, every year, at least one project is implemented in this local community. Elma, the founder and president of the Association, remembers that first project very well.
– It was called “The Friendship Game”. We organized it for children from socially disadvantaged families in Mrakovo and we only had 500 BAM. Later we also worked on much bigger projects. One was of international project and was worth 50,000 BAM. But we have never appreciated projects by the amount of money or length of time. It is important to us that we help anyone and in any way – the president of the Association pointed out for Local Works.
Early development is very important
Today, children and young people spend more and more time in front of screens and on social networks. Because of that, they have problems with communication and socialization. They are often alienated not only from their peers, but also from their parents. They withdra into themselves.
Elma, who is a psychologist by profession, pointed out that this is why the main focus of the Association is to work with children and young people. Many campaigns, workshops and actions are organized specifically for children from primary schools.
– As a psychologist, I know that early development is crucial. In those years, we can achieve the most in order to develop empathy and a sense of true values in children. It turned out that we were successful in that, because now we have volunteers who went through those first workshops. I don’t need a greater success than that – Elma pointed out with pride.
For her, it was always a special challenge to work with young people, because they are often not aware of their possibilities.
– In their consciousness, the prevailing attitude is that they cannot change anything, that they are helpless, and that is not true. We can change a lot if we work hard enough on ourselves – advised Elma.
And indeed, for these eight years, young people from the Association helped children, their peers, organized workshops, volunteer campaigns to change the city where they live.
“Let aging be a joy”
They decided to take a step forward and expand their activities to the development of intergenerational solidarity. For more than a year, 30 young volunteers helped old people in need through the campaign “Let aging be a joy”. They visited them, brought them food, did household chores, went shopping. Many have been provided with heating for the winter.
Among the volunteers was Amila Demirović, who shared her experience with us.
– We were supposed to visit them twice a month, but many of us did it more often. We helped in various ways, but their greatest joy was when we sat down to talk with them, drink coffee. These were mostly people who were alone and no one cared about them. There were emotional moments, even tears, when you find someone’s refrigerator empty. However, today I and many other volunteers see those people as our grandparents. The best thing is that we included all members of our community in the campaign, from adults to children. Everyone donated as much as they could – Amila told us.
Even now that the project is over, the volunteers visit them, and will certainly continue to do so.
Looking forward to the field trip
This year, as a new member of the Association, Amila worked for the first time with children with developmental difficulties, through the “Let’s cook together” project. In November and December, as in the past few years, children and volunteers learned to cook, paint on glass, make jewelry and decorations. A bazaar will soon be organized where they will sell everything they have made. The money they collect will be used for a field trip. Everyone is looking forward to it, especially Faruk Mešetović – Fare. He hopes to go to Ajdinovići, because his girlfriend lives nearby.
– That would be great, because then we could drink coffee and play Uno – Fare told us cheerfully. He was also the main star of the workshops, because he entertained everyone with his singing.
Children especially enjoyed cooking. They made the dishes they love: cake, pancakes, pizza, rolls, burek, and they also stuffed peppers. And all this with laughter and joy.
Amila admitted to us that working with these children changed her.
– They would always be happy when we came. They would run towards us, hug us and tell us what they had been doing in the past few days. I’m not the type of person who likes to hug, but I used to come to them myself for more hugs – Amila told us.
When you meet these kids, it’s clear to you that the love they spread around them is contagious.
Elma has plans for children with developmental disabilities to share this boundless love with citizens. This year, within the “Teach Me My Friend” project, they should teach other children what they know, such as table tennis, drawing, arithmetic.
– Our idea is that they pass on the skills in which they are excellent to other children, because they can, because they are hardworking and talented, and we can all learn so much from them. People are often prejudiced against these children, some fear them, some pity them. But that is wrong. If you give them a chance, you will receive more love from them than you can imagine – Elma pointed out.
The Association ended last year in the best possible way. With the help of friends from Germany, 300 New Year gifts were distributed to students in district schools in the Ilijaš Municipality. These gifts made the children happy. The children showed their gratitude in the letters they will send to the donors.
As for this year, they already have many plans, the most important of which is membership expansion. Some new forces will bring zest, new ideas and projects. Thus, the youth organization “Carpe diem” would continue to use not only days, but also months and years in making life better for both the young and the elderly in Ilijaš.
