The activities in the Summer Camp of the Youth Bank (OB), which was held in Bosanska Otoka this year as well, have been completed. Dozens of young people have been rushing to workshops and trainings, where they learned about ecology and philanthropy. The goal of the Camp was an opportunity for young people to get to know each other better, unite and learn more about the mission and values of the OB program in which they participate, surrounded by nature and participating in interesting games. This program offers young volunteers opportunities to acquire new skills, but also to progress.
Gloria Brkić, an eighteen-year-old student at the Medical High School in Tuzla, was a member last year, and this year she was appointed as an assistant to the Board of the Youth Bank Tuzla. She believes that her membership in the Board has made it easier for her to work as an assistant, because she knows the needs of the board members. Even then, she wanted to become a person who would transfer knowledge and work with young people: “Working with young people is unique. Learning from young people every day is invaluable. They are the ones who motivate me to be a better version of myself with their connection and kindness. Dedication is important in working with young people, and excitement during every activity is the best indicator of that love. After every activity I feel fulfilled because they leave that space happy. Getting closer and making friends through OB is eternal and I am glad that I now have eternal friends too. The Youth Bank is motivating in itself because someone hears you and wants to know your opinion on something. You are actually becoming important here. You learn and acquire positive habits without being forced to do so. Those are little OB secrets.”
Immune to the alarming state of the environment
Raising the awareness of young people about the importance of ecology and environmental protection is very important not only for us but for all generations to come. This year’s members of the OB learned more about these topics during the camp. Although they come from a country where they face many problems, Gloria believes that young people should nevertheless follow the values of the developed countries of the West and learn responsibilities when it comes to preserving the environment.
“It is as if we have become immune to that topic, we are not interested. At the camp, we tried to make young people aware, and not just mention the topic. Although solutions require systemic approaches, we are the ones who need to be the drivers of those changes. If one individual can contribute by his_her positive example and thus influence others, it would already be a change for the better. The more positive examples we have, the healthier and cleaner the environment. It is also important that through OB young people meet different people from different communities, because only when we are connected and united, we can achieve great results in our society”, says Gloria and adds that we can start small and stop throwing waste in nature or start recycling.
Young people want to take the initiative
Many participants of this year’s camp are still going to school, and at the same time they are part of the awareness-raising movement in our area and the only hope that things will look better in our country someday. They hope that their work will inspire their peers, parents, neighbors and friends, so that everyone behaves more responsibly towards their communities. Since the Youth Bank works according to pre-defined rules, teaching young people about the importance of philanthropy as an investment in the future is a topic that is present in all OB activities. The culture of giving that is nurtured through them, initially refers to giving free time and knowledge to the community, and then to more specific philanthropic activities in organizations in which young people continue their personal development. This is one of the Youth Bank’s unwritten rules: once an OB member, always an OB member. Our interviewee explains that the values promoted by OB, all its members accept as their own and carry them further through life, because in their essence they mean a better life for everyone: “It is interesting when you know you are doing something good for your home, for the planet. And that system is most easily adopted by those who are your role models. When I was a Board member my coordinator often talked about ecology, which made me more curious about it. I wondered why I didn’t do that too, and I started with simple things, such as limiting the use of plastic. In the future, I also want to help young people see the importance of preserving the environment. It makes me angry when I see garbage on the streets in my city, and worst of all is that we see such things from the elderly. Sometimes we need to learn from young people, because in that way we can cause an avalanche of positive changes.”
Younger generations will feel more effects of global warming as a result of the irresponsible behavior of older generations. That is why many of them have chosen to act today, so that the solution to these complex problems begins before it is too late. The mission of the Youth Bank and the Camp as one of the annual activities is to empower young people and provide opportunities to acquire new skills that they will use for the common good in their future activities, wherever they may be.
