Thanks to Foundation Second’s donors, 18 children from families at risk are starting the new school year with new backpacks and school supplies.

Ahead of the new school year, Foundation Second launched a campaign to provide school supply packages for 18 children from nine families facing various life challenges and at risk of family separation, meaning that the children could potentially be removed from their families and placed in residential care.

These families are supported by the Family and Child Support Service of the KJU Children’s Home Sarajevo, with which Foundation Second cooperates in providing support to children and their families.

The 18 schoolchildren range from first to ninth grade, so the school supply packages were tailored to their ages and needs. Each child received a new backpack containing the school and art supplies they need for their classes.

Our donors answered our call once again

For the purchase of backpacks and school supplies, the Foundation received a very favourable offer from Amos Graf. Following our appeal to donors, the necessary funds were raised, while representatives of Amos Graf also decided to contribute to the campaign themselves.

Of the 18 school supply packages, 16 were provided thanks to Foundation Second’s donors, while two complete packages were donated by representatives of Amos Graf.

Representatives of Amos Graf personally delivered the prepared backpacks to the KJU Children’s Home Sarajevo, where the Family and Child Support Service is based and from where the packages will be distributed to the children for whom they are intended.

Foundation Second Director Belma Mujezinović points out that initiatives like this may seem small compared with the many needs of families at risk, but timely and practical support can make a significant difference.

“When we talk about preventing family separation, we often think of large and complex interventions. But supporting a family can sometimes mean helping them buy food, cover a particular expense or, as in this case, equip their children for school. For a family with several children, buying multiple backpacks and complete sets of school supplies can place a serious strain on the household budget. Thanks to our donors, we have taken at least one worry off these parents’ shoulders and enabled their children to start school prepared, just like their peers,” said Mujezinović.

More than backpacks

For families living on limited incomes, the beginning of the school year presents a significant financial challenge. After covering food, utility bills and other basic necessities, purchasing backpacks, notebooks, pencil cases, colouring supplies and other school materials can become an expense that a family simply cannot afford.

That is why this campaign was about much more than purchasing 18 backpacks.

Supporting families at risk means being there when help is needed, strengthening families and, whenever it is in the best interests of the child, helping create the conditions that allow children to remain and grow up within their own families.

Sometimes that support begins with something as simple as a new backpack.

18 children. 18 backpacks. 18 new school beginnings.

Foundation Second would like to thank all the donors who responded to our appeal and made it possible for all 18 schoolchildren to receive the school supplies they need. We also thank Amos Graf for their favourable offer, the donation of two complete school supply packages and their delivery.

Together, we have taken at least one worry off the shoulders of nine families and helped 18 children begin the new school year better prepared and with greater confidence.