Story of Murisa Ahmetašević
We continue with our invaluable stories about volunteers in Bosnia and Herzegovina. This story takes us to Gračanica, more precisely the village of D. Lohinj, where we met with our main heroine Murisa Ahmetašević. Murisa is 27 years old and currently holds an MA in International Relations in Global Governance and Social Theory.
I completed my education in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic and immediately encountered employment difficulties. When I realized and accepted the fact that employment opportunities for me are currently weak, I decided to redirect my efforts to further professional development. I want to learn as much as possible, whether paid or not, in order to acquire as many different skills as possible. When the focus shifted from earning to experience, I immediately looked for unfamiliar environments and interesting activities, which volunteering abroad provides.
Murisa found her first volunteer engagement in Sarajevo in the Bosnian Representative Association for Valuable Opportunities – BRAVO. Through this organization, Murisa was given the opportunity to participate in two international projects.
At the beginning, I participated in one online program, while on another project I had the opportunity to visit Portugal. I arrived in Portugal a month ago, but since I am staying here for the next 12 months, I am just at the beginning and reliving my first volunteer experiences. I have already had the opportunity to hike, participate in the construction of outdoor areas intended for rest and relaxation, and conversations and socializing with other participants are the most valuable part of my experience. My daily life reminds me that I don’t take anything in life for granted and that I enjoy every moment.
The turning point of Murisa’s engagement was the training on planning his own youth exchange program.
A local organization from Portugal teaches us how to write project applications in the Ersasmus + exchange program. I teamed up with several interested volunteers to begin writing a project that aims to include marginalized people in wider communities, especially refugees and migrants.
Volunteers from Bosnia and Herzegovina are constantly exposed to opportunities for growth and development. This is also reflected in the interaction with other people who are not part of their normal daily life.
“I am of the opinion that none of us can succeed without the support of others around us. If we all take a little more care of each other, it would be easier for all of us. Volunteers must never forget their community. By volunteering, we can help the community, support community programs and improve our own skills.”
Murisa told us more about her relationships with people close to her when it comes to volunteering and what is their opinion on volunteering.
“As for the family, the more they are proud, the more they care. Like any parent who wants their child close and safe. Of course, there is a fear that someone will not use it, but the opportunities I was most afraid of brought me the most beautiful memories.”
Murisa has a message for other young people from Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Since my life has become so connected to NGOs and I feel happy there, I can see myself in the future in similar conditions. She would tell others not to run away from the difficult and unknown. In unexplored situations lie the best opportunities for learning and development.
In the spirit of promoting volunteering and the support that volunteering gives to our society, as opportunities for community development and development, the Institute for Youth Development KULT and UN Volunteers in BiH bring a series of stories about volunteers and volunteering in Bosnia and Herzegovina. #toghetherwecan
