Education Projects
for Children at Orphanages  
in the Balkans  

 Summer 2006

Updated: 9/5/2006

 The purpose of this page is to provide the itinerary and a journal of events for the Educational Projects held at the orphanages in Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina and in Montenegro. Also included is the English instructional  period  provided in Gradacac, Bosnia and Herzegovina. These projects took place during the period, 15 May - 25 July 2006.

Date

Activity

Journal

15 May

Monday

• Emily Departed USA

 In this section of the Web Page, we will keep  notes received from our team in Montenegro, Gradacac, and Mostar.   

The journal was up-to-dated as we receive emails from the volunteers on the ground in Montenegro then in Gradacac (Bosnia and Herzegovina) and finally in Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina.  The blogs will be in chronological order, so scroll down the page and read about the adventures of our teams.

16 May

Tuesday

• Emily Arrived Sarajevo

Overnight: Sarajevo

17 May – 15 June 2006

Education Study Period at Montenegro Orphanage

17 May

Wednesday

Thru -

15 June 2006

• Traveled to Montenegro Orphanage

Stayed at the Orphanage in Montenegro to teach English to the Children and to help them with their studies.

JOURNAL OF LIFE AT THE MONTENEGRO ORPHANAGE

18 May 2006

Life here is good, no, life here is better than good. We got here on Wednesday night, and Merima and I have settled in. We have already grown accustomed to the Montenegrin lifestyle.

On our first morning we had 
a meeting with the caretakers to set up a schedule. 
so far our day goes as follows:
8:00-8:30 English with the first family
8:30-9:00 English with the fifth family
9:00-9:30 English with the kindergarteners. (This is really wonderful because last year we didn't get a chance to work with them.)

From about 9:30 AM-2:30 PM we have casual time with the kids. Depending on chores and homework, we hang out outside with the kids from about 4:00-6:00PM. After dinner is evening football with the older boys, or fishing with the 
younger ones. Then, later in the evening we hang out with the teenage girls. This all works out really well, because we have time with everyone, 
but in small enough groups to make an impact.

Our arrival was great. Everyone remembered me, and asked about Melisa and Maida. I felt like a celebrity.

21 May 2006

Sunday was election day here in Montenegro. They were voting on a referendum to decide whether or not to split with Serbia. In the days leading up to the vote no one spoke about where they stood. for the referendum to pass, they needed 55% of the vote. On Sunday, things weren't tense per-se, but people were concerned. 

Sunday rolled around and things were calm. The results weren't to be announced until midnight. That night, we stayed inside "just in case" and watched the news with the teenage girls, and it passed! It was so exciting! people drove down the street waving the Montenegrin flag. At midnight the final votes were announced, it passed with 55.5%, so it was close, and nothing happened in Podjorica.

23 May 2006

On Tuesday morning, everyone was smiling and ecstatic. We started our 8:00 class, when suddenly we heard music. We all ran upstairs and all of the caretakers and the director were singing and dancing in the hallway. Needless to say, class was canceled and there was in impromptu party. Everyone danced and sang. The whole day was a celebration all over the country. The entire town is so happy. Though we were a little nervous at first, we are both so happy that we were here to be a part of Montenegro's independence day. It really was something special.

25 May 2006

As usual, things here are great. All of the other kids have been asking about camp and the team. they can't wait until July. People are still celebrating Montenegro's independence, and last night while at St Tropez (a local cafe) we saw a firework display. It was so awesome. It did make me slightly homesick, since i haven't seen fireworks on the 4th of July in 5 years now, but who cares, I like it here anyway.

We've definitely become a part of the town, and are treated like locals rather than tourists. Whenever a car drives by, we get the honk and wave and when we go to the cafe, everyone says hello. The kids have been wonderful. Today is the first day that they are allowed to swim, so I can't wait until 4:00 PM.

Classes are going well. We prepare ourselves for the boys to fight over crayons and such, but they are so well behaved, while the girls yell at each other and accuse each other of "kidnapping" crayons. Overhearing that conversation was quite an experience. but on the whole, they are wonderful. It's weird seeing them growing up and I must say that I disapprove of this. 

Merima is great to work with. She and I have become two peas in a pod, which is easy to do since we are always together. She's great with the kids and it's nice to see her creating a bond with them.

27 May 2006

This past weekend was really nice here both with weather and activities. We held our "annual" BBQ with the boys who fish this past Saturday and it was really something special. We were at Maki's Kuca (the place where we stayed last year) and it was Aleksa (a caretaker you haven't met) and his kids. It was so much fun. Everyone had the best time. We stayed out until 10:00 PM, which was monumental for the kids, eating, laughing and dancing. Yes, there was an 
impromptu dance. it was a night that neither Merima, myself, or the kids will ever forget. we are trying to plan a trip to a nice beach and hotel for BBQ-ing this weekend, but we'll see if it works out. 

The kids are wonderful as usual. There are some new ones, and it's amazing to see how quickly they melt in with the other ones. Classes have been going smoothly, though much to our surprise, the younger boys' class is quiet and peaceful, and the younger girls' class is always chaotic, with constant fights. it may be time to change the saying "boys will be boys."

Anyway, hope everything is going well with you two. time is flying by too quickly. I can't believe that we're at our halfway mark. We're really trying to figure out a way to stay forever.

4 June 2006

10 June 2006

14 June

Wednesday

• Car to Montenegro to Pick-up Team

Overnight: Montenegro  

15 June

Thursday

• Traveled to Sarajevo

 Overnight: Sarajevo  

15 June 2006

I met with Director Djukanovic and Ms Slavica, and  spoke about 2 hours. The meeting was very friendly and with a positive atmosphere. They especially appreciated the kind greetings for the independence of Montenegro from TWI for the Children. 

While  meeting with students in the education program, the director expressed his satisfaction about the program and relations made with each particular child and staff member. He invited us to return in 2007, and he also said to Merima that she was welcome to visit her friends/kids whenever she could. We should think of including young staff more in this program, because they will need language skills more and more. They are also looking forward to our coming for the "Camp to Kids" in July.

Now I go to join Emily and Merima to the closing ceremony with kids and the staff, and then we go to Sarajevo.

Vjeko Saje

16 June

Friday

• Emily has the day Free in Sarajevo

 Overnight: Sarajevo 
 

17 June

Saturday

• Travel to Gradacac

Overnight: Gradacac

17 June 2006

 Just wanted to write you all a quick note and let you know that Maida and I made it to Gradacac safe and sound. The Muftic family has been so good to us, and everything has been going really well.

18 June

Sunday

• Met with the Muftic  family in Gradacac

Period of Gradacac English Instruction

19 June – 1 July 2006

Monday

----

1 July

English Classes in Gradacac, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

19 June 2006

 We got acquainted with the town over the weekend, and started classes today. The kids are wonderful and everything went well. We have three classes, the first with 13 students, the second with 15, and the third with 7. We think there will be more tomorrow, but we will see. Tomorrow we are going to study ice cream and how to order it, and we will have a field trip with the older two classes. The kids all had a great time. We laughed a lot and spoke a lot of English.

22 June 2006

23 June 2006

25 June

Sunday

• Laura and Erin arrive in Sarajevo  
  
• Travel to Mostar Orphanage
  
• Team to begin Education Instruction at Mostar Orphanage.

25 June 2006

Laura

26 June – 25 July 2006

5 July 2006

Today marks one week since we arrived at the orphanage. Time is flying! It has been AMAZING to be back here and for Erin and Maida to get to know all the children. Only about half of the children are there right now because the other half is in Italy. Also, they are visiting the seaside in groups this week as well, so we have very few kids with us for the week. Although it is sad that they cannot all be here, we are really enjoying having a small group to really spend quality time with them. We are getting into the groove of teaching, although it is extremely laid-back as we are living in the children's house with them. We are teaching right in their living rooms instead of the library, which really contributes to the comfort of the children with us and with the lessons. At first we were a little bit apprehensive about sharing such a small space with so many children, but it has really worked out as we feel like a part of their family now. Of course, that will make leaving them a million times harder, but we wont think about that yet.

Here is some good news....WE LOVE MAIDA! We are having a great time with her and our personalities are great together. She is amazing with children! Her sense of humor is never boring and we are so happy with the situation. Thank you, thank you, thank you....life is great!!!!

We are excited for Rama and will keep you updated. Talk to you soon!

Love,
Erin, Laura, and Maida!

25 July

Tuesday

• Pick up Mostar Education Team from Mostar Orphanage and return to Sarajevo

Overnight in Sarajevo

26 July

Wednesday

• Mostar Team Departs Sarajevo