REPORT ON ACTIVITIES IN SARAJEVO “LEARNING CENTER “
FOR THE PERIOD JUNE-DECEMBER 2008

 

The  mission of the Organization is to include children and youth with special needs into the everyday currents of life, to educate them, and to support their parents and train them also.

 

The main project of the Association is a Day Care Center, for education and rehabilitation of children and youth with special needs, known also as the “Learning Center”. The total number of beneficiaries is 83, including the children who stay in their homes, as they cannot move, and go out easily.

 

Student Activities Include:

*Creative workshops- Arts and Crafts and Music

*Recreational workshops-Sport
 

*Individual sessions-Reading and Speech therapy

Family Activities Include:

-Psycho-social assistance and support to mothers and fathers

 

-Active participation of parents in supervising the development of their kids in accomplishing their rights for regular education and inclusion.

 

-Training parents in team work skills through the workshops “Open Days”, having knitting, sawing, cooking.

 

-Voluntary contribution of parents, students in project realization

 

Creative workshops:

Art and Music Workshops are focusing on psycho-motor, writing motor, and senses motor skills development through artistic and creative expressions in kids with various types of disabilities.

Music workshops:


Music workshops develop interest for music and expressing through it, strengthening positive emotions and need for socializing through music activities, and stimulate motor senses on different levels. Individual approach, in some cases, help students obtain music education, and learn about the music culture, in order to be able to express their feelings and thoughts, and to overcome learning problems through music. It is done by singing, manufacturing and playing on different instruments, listening to various songs, dancing. Organized visits to the music schools and associations, and participation in different events help special needs kids in learning and knowing about the other, and about the differences. It consisted of 25 kids and youth, organized in 2 groups, age 6-16, and age 16-35, led by the music teacher,  twice a week, 3 class hours.

 

Art workshop:


Art workshops consist of drawing, painting, sketching, modeling, sculpturing. Students are able to progress in developing practical, concrete, activities, and experimenting with different tools and materials. It involves individual treatments, as well, focusing on concentration, attention and persistence. Team work, interaction, mutual respect and affirmation of individual abilities are cherished, and lead to mental and physical rehabilitation of the students. They seem to be relaxed, content, and serene during the workshop, and it helps them to put away the negative aspects and problems of everyday life. They develop a sense of beauty, discovery, and exploration of the new and unknown.There is a very constructive cooperation with the Sarajevo elementary school “Dzemaludin Causevic” in working with our students, organizing exhibitions, and celebrations. Art workshop is designed for 21 attendants, in age groups, 6-16, and 16-35, run by the pedagogue and art teacher. It involves 2 assistants, and several volunteers, recruited from parents, and students. It is organized twice a week, for 3 class hours.

 

Sport and recreation activities:

 Recreation activities are of crucial importance for our students, and we have enabled them to participate in different events, like Special Olympics, swimming competitions, and training in Thermal Riviera facilities, near Sarajevo. Fifteen students were able to enjoy these opportunities, once a week, in afternoon hours, from 5-9 P.M. Students were able to use a gymnasium in the local community, twice a week, for 3 class hours, focusing on exercises, and games to develop motor skills, improve walking and running abilities and learn how to play and compete as a team. It is led by the trainer and one young adult student volunteer, as assistant.

 

Picnics:

Picnics have been organized from the money we collect through selling crafts, The main purpose is to teach students about nature, and how to name and use different plants and fruits, as well as how to determine their position, direction, and to find shelter. Students also have a chance to socialize, learn more about each other, and mingle with typical kids and adults. Environmental issues and ecology awareness are also a part of the program, during these picnics. University students from different faculties, such as a Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, have their internships in the Learning Center.

 

From the funds donated by the Municipality Novi Grad we have managed to organize workshops for individual work with children, speech and reading therapy, and a segment of a project “Open Days” for mothers, training them in knitting and sawing. This project equipped several mothers with skills that enabled them to do the crafts, and make different items for sale. The course was done once a week, for 4 class hours. Special value of this activity is that students were also engaged, partnering with mothers. Objective was also to sell the products and use money for other activities.

 

Objective:

Combining individual and group educational programs we expect to achieve the following:

 

Individual special education therapy treatments are focused on each kid in order to provide various exercises for motor skills development. Program involves students with cerebral paralysis, mental retardation, autism, and Down syndrome. Special attention is paid to students with no mental retardation, but with differences in learning, attention deficit disorder, hyperactivity and aggressive behavior. Students need support and assistance to be able to attend regular schools, and participate in updated programs of inclusion. This training is led by a special education and speech therapist, twice a week.

 

All the programs in the Learning Center are aiming to build self-confidence, and self-esteem in the students and parents, and to give them tools to become relevant members of the community, and to obtain their civic rights.

 

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