We continue bringing you stories about volunteers in Bosnia and Herzegovina and this time we are taking you to Brčko, the northeast of Bosnia and Herzegovina, to meet Suad Murselović. Suad was born in Brčko. He graduated primary and secondary school in Tuzla. After graduating from the “Meša Selimović” High school, he decided to study law and enrolled at the Faculty of Law, University of Tuzla. He is currently volunteering at the Bravo Association and mentoring other volunteers.
I remember when I was in 5th grade and my biology teacher chose me to be a simulator during a Red Cross first aid competition held at the University hall in Tuzla. I didn’t know exactly what to do, but curiosity won over reason, to put it that way. That’s how I started volunteering, and I’m happy to say I’ve continued volunteering and have no intention of stopping.
As a volunteer, Suad had the opportunity to travel outside of Bosnia and Herzegovina thanks to the EVS and Erasmus + programs.
“My favorite experience as a volunteer was the EVS long-term volunteering program in Spain, where I visited Logrono and the La Rioja region. I could for days about Spain and Logrono, but there’s no time for that now, I know. Having the opportunity to live, work and study in a completely different environment from the one you were born and raised in is just invaluable. Learning about a new culture, customs and language made me see that life can be completely different, more beautiful and interesting, and that was a crucial lesson for me.”
Suad thinks that you never finish with educating yourself, because it’s a lifelong process. Times and circumstances change, so it is very important that we invest more time and energy in our education so we can keep up with the times.
Time. The best thing you can do for someone is give them your time. When you volunteer, you’re actually giving a part of your life, you’re giving your time to someone and not expecting anything in return. But on the other hand, somewhere out there, there are other people and other volunteers, dozens of them, who share the same vision as you, and they chose to give their time to you.
Volunteering can teach you so many lessons. You have to look around at the people and world around you, and you’ll see it’s a space full of opportunities, said Suad.
“The best thing you can do for yourself is take the opportunity to learn, travel, experience new things and meet new people. Not everything you need to learn is written in books, there’s something to be said for the knowledge that awaits us once we leap into the unknown. Volunteering is one of the few opportunities that can give you this experience.”
When asked: “Where do you see yourself a couple of years from now?” Suad replied:
I see myself here, in Bosnia and Herzegovina, because I feel I’m exactly where I need to be.
Suad ended his story by saying that Bosnia and Herzegovina has brilliant young people and his message is:
They don’t need a message, young people just need to be given the opportunity to show everything they can, know and want to do.
The European Solidarity Corps builds on the achievements of more than 25 years of European programs in the fields of volunteering and youth, especially on the experience of the European Voluntary Service, the “EU Aid Volunteers” initiative and the European Solidarity Corps programs from 2018 to 2020. Participation in these mobility projects is a stimulating experience that builds young people’s self-confidence and helps them develop their skills and competencies while contributing to community development. Young people interested in taking part in this program can register on the European Solidarity Corps website.
In an effort to promote volunteering as a valuable contribution to our society and an opportunity for personal and community development, the Institute for Youth Development KULT and UN Volunteers in BiH are presenting a series of stories about volunteers and volunteering in Bosnia and Herzegovina. #togetherwecan
