March 23, 2010 – 11:45pm
At 1pm today I was greeted by Martina Murgic, my guide for visiting the Lekenik SOS Village located about 30 minutes southeast of Zagreb, Croatia.
Needless to say, this is a village run on commitment to helping children rather than money. Croatia is a relatively small country (about 4 million population) and the global economic meltdown brought everything to a halt here, especially donations…everyone – individuals and companies went into hoarding what they have mode…well, in Zagreb anyhow…the coastline tourism appears to be recovering. High unemployment and the cease of foreign investment has created a new wave of crime as well…violent crime – burglary, robbery, etc…about one incident per day in Zagreb…With a population of 800,000 that may not seem like much, but it is alarming to the people here. After so much war suffered here, peace and harmony are a heavy focus, especially for the children…The people here want the newest generation to be well-balanced and on the path to recovery rather than feel helpless and victims of the past.
Visit the link above to visit the village website. The homes are noticeably larger than what I have seen elsewhere, and the location is immense, but this is Croatia…The summers are hot and the winters brutally cold…don’t let the wide open and picturesque location fool you.
For perspective, imagine this: You share a room with your ‘brother’ or ‘sister’ that you’ve known for maybe 1-4 years. You learn about computers by studying screenshots in a booklet about Windows 98…The only things on your bedroom walls are pictures torn from used magazines and newspapers of celebrities you idolize. You are part of a family, but live everyday with the weight that you could be removed / adopted the following day with little warning…You get to see your real parent/parents based upon the court system rather than when you want…and you live at SOS likely because your parents couldn’t care for you and wanted to give you the possibility for a better life.
This is some heavy stuff…
On the positive front – everyone at the village truly cares about you…you are expected to participate, but within your capabilities…you are safe, have healthy food, safe shelter and clean clothing…you are part of a relatively stable environment…you get to do scheduled activities like art, theatre, pottery, singing with other kids…and you get together with tons of other children regularly to socialize.
At around 14, you leave the village (if you are ready) for a youth facility to begin high school and your career. You are taught to be self-sufficient, but are not abandoned…you are becoming an adult…and there is a 20% chance you will go on to college…you need to decide which profession by 16 so you can prepare for the university entrance exams for your specific profession. Life is less structured, but you are a teen now…you are learning independence and rebellion…it’s too much for some of your siblings, but others thrive…the choice is yours and there is a support system if you need it.
I hope I am adequately conveying the situation here and for all children at SOS villages around the world. The challenges are great, the focus on raising well suited young adults is incredible, and the ability to do an amazing amount of stuff with so little is, well, I’m not sure what word adequately could describe it.
From SOS: Halfway between Zagreb and Sisak, between the Sava River in the east and the rolling hills of Vukomericke Gorice in the west lays the picturesque village of Lekenik, a rural community with about 2,000 inhabitants. SOS Children’s Village Lekenik is located on the outskirts of the town, next to a primary and a secondary school. The official opening ceremony took place on 8 October 1993 in the presence of Helmut Kutin, president of SOS-Kinderdorf International, the prime minister of Croatia, and numerous guests of honour.
SOS Children’s Village Lekenik altogether comprises fifteen family houses, an administrative area, a workshop, a community building and houses for the village director and the SOS aunts (who support the SOS mothers and take care of the children when the mothers are on leave). Up to 98 children can find a new home there. A playground has also been created. The daily care of the children rests in the capable hands of fifteen SOS mothers, who can count on the help of SOS aunts, the village director, pedagogical assistants, a psychologist and a village caretaker. A leisure centre offers different activities for the children from the SOS Children’s Village Lekenik as well as for children from the neighborhood.
The children from the vicinity have also the possibility to attend the SOS Kindergarten, which consists of two group rooms, a kitchen and a playground; it has a capacity to take in up to sixty children. The SOS Youth Facilities in Zagreb and Velika Gorica can take in up to 38 youngsters. The large and close-knit SOS family at the SOS Children’s Village Lekenik shares the same responsibilities and joys as any other family.
