The regional school in Lisovići (Elementary School Podorašje), a village 20 km from the center of Srebrenik, is one of the oldest educational institutions in the municipality. The entire local community came together and completely renovated the old building. 35 students now go to class with a smile, without fear of the roof collapsing, without fear and cold while using the outdoor toilet and without the dirty smoky classrooms.
Interior toilets, new carpentry, roof and floors, pellet heating, and the library, made this school a decent place to learn, but these results were achieved gradually and with great commitment of the local community.
Because of his mother’s stories, he decided to do something and rebuild the school
The director of this school, Armin Hrustić, thinks that it was his obligation, but an additional motive was his mother’s stories that he listened to as a boy: “My mother went to this school and always told me the most beautiful stories from her school days. That love for her friends and school remained in my memory. I was very saddened by the situation I found myself when I started working here as a teacher, so I decided to give it a try. I was not always sure that we would succeed, but people in such small communities are very close and, in the end, they always do everything together. When we received a donation in material to work on the exterior of the school, the whole village stood behind us. At one point, 27 men were working for days, while women were bringing refreshments and food. I realized that together we can do literally anything. Today, that is really rare. “
Cross-sectoral cooperation is crucial
This small school is the only building damaged in the earthquake in 2019, so the improvement of safety conditions for children was accepted by all, says our interviewee, explaining how the children from this school united all community actors. Local community Lisovići is a member of the Network of Active Communities, and learned about organizing and activism through the Network, and with the support of Tuzla Community Foundation through several small interventions and the help of other donors, much has been done. The Ministry of Education and Science of Tuzla Canton, local businessman Fahir Zukić Butro, who is always happy to help with all local actions, and Izudin Ahmetović, a businessman originally from Lisovići who lives and works in Switzerland, also provided their support.
It was almost impossible to have classes in winter
Anela Zukić, a fourth-grade student, is delighted with the appearance of the school, especially with the fact that the school now has a library: “We are all very happy! Before when it rained, we get wet or when it snows, we get cold, the stairs are slippery… Now we have a toilet in the school. I am especially happy about the new library. I have already read two books. “
Although parents have always been engaged, after a series of successful projects, new initiatives are now coming from them as well. Soon, they plan to decorate the school yard, plant flowers and organize a clean-up action.
“We try to contribute to everything that happens at school and to our community in general. It means a lot to us that the children are happy and that the working conditions at school are much better now. When we decorate the yard, the school will shine in its full splendor”, says Mirela Mešić, mother of a third-grade student.
The school brings people together in small communities
One of the volunteers who selflessly donates his time and skills for the common good is Adnan Muratović, a professor of physical education and sports by profession. He did an internship at this school, so there was no lack of motivation. He says that everyone knows each other and that it is easy to get together, especially when children need help: “I personally coach basketball team as a volunteer. Although we do not have a gym, I try to work with children when the weather is warmer, because there are young people who want to play sports. There is no better investment than in education and sports. I think school particularly in smaller communities connects people. Our school is beautiful now, and I can think how much easier and more comfortable it is for teachers and children.”
Teacher Žana Mešić, who has been seeing off generations from this school for 20 years, has had much easier work after the renovations. She claims that everyone feels better, that the students are enthusiastic, and that they are very careful not to damage anything. Improving hygienic and safety conditions was very important, explains Mešić, because these children, like all others, deserve normal conditions for schooling. Now it is simply “nice to come to school and work”.
*The school renovation project is supported by Tuzla Community Foundation through the Fund for Active Communities. If you want to launch similar initiatives in your community, Tuzla Community Foundation recently published a public call for applications titled “I love my city Fund”. More information is available at: https://www.fondacijatz.org/page/39/1096
*** Sharing content from the Tuzla Community Foundation website is allowed under the following conditions.
