Belma Mujezinović, Director of Foundation Second, visited Muhamed Musić, Director of the Sarajevo Home for Children Without Parental Care (Bjelave Children's Home), to discuss the results of their cooperation, completed projects, and plans for the coming period. The meeting was an opportunity to reflect on activities carried out over the past two years that have improved the quality of life of children without parental care and families facing difficult circumstances.

Since Muhamed Musić was appointed Director of Bjelave Children's Home two years ago, cooperation between the institution and Foundation Second has intensified. Together with donors, institutions, and volunteers, they have implemented projects that offer children more opportunities for education, social interaction, independence, and new experiences.

Small Family Home in Ledići – A Joint Project Worth More Than BAM 100,000

One of the most significant achievements of this partnership was the official opening of the Small Family Home in Ledići, on Mount Bjelašnica, in November 2024.

The former school building, constructed in 1922, also has historical significance as a monument to the National Liberation War. The proBITRA Foundation granted the Sarajevo Home for Children Without Parental Care the right to use the property for 99 years.

Foundation Second and its donors contributed to renovating, insulating, furnishing, and improving the building to provide children with a safe, warm, and functional place to stay in nature.

Over the past two years, Bjelave Children's Home and Foundation Second, supported by donors and public grants, have jointly invested more than BAM 100,000 in renovating, insulating, furnishing, and improving the property and organizing activities in Ledići.

Today, Bjelave Children's Home and Foundation Second jointly manage the facility, which hosts a growing number of activities, workshops, educational programs, excursions, and overnight stays.

With the support of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Policy, which has supported Second Foundation's community-based care and protection activities for three consecutive years, children's stays in Ledići can be organized on a continuous basis.

The facility also welcomes other beneficiaries. Alongside children from Bjelave Children's Home and its small family homes, children from other social welfare institutions have stayed in Ledići, including the Home for Children Without Parental Care in Tuzla, the Sarajevo Canton Educational Centre, and children and young people with developmental disabilities.

Ledići has thus grown beyond its original purpose to become a place of inclusion, friendship, togetherness, and new experiences.

Ledići Is More Than a Place to Relax – It Is a Place to Learn Life Skills

A particularly important aspect of Second Foundation's programs in Ledići is learning practical life skills.

During their stays, children do more than take part in games and excursions. They prepare meals together, bake bread, set the table, help maintain the house, work in the organic garden, harvest vegetables, and learn to care for their home and the environment.

Through these seemingly simple daily activities, children develop independence, responsibility, positive work habits, and a sense of belonging.

Special attention is given to smaller groups, allowing for an individualized approach and programs adapted to the children's ages, interests, and needs.

Top Grades as a Ticket to a Weekend in Ledići

Foundation Second also encourages children to achieve better results at school. At the initiative of its Director, Belma Mujezinović, a school achievement reward program was introduced and enthusiastically supported by the management and caregivers of Bjelave Children's Home.

Under the program, children who earn at least three top grades (5, the highest grade in Bosnia and Herzegovina) during the school year are rewarded with a weekend at the Small Family Home in Ledići. Their effort and academic success are recognized with time in nature, friendship, play, and activities they love.

The first results are already visible. Children have shown greater motivation to study, and top grades are being earned almost every day. It is especially rewarding to see them proudly share their achievements, knowing that each excellent grade brings them closer to another unforgettable weekend in the mountains.

This initiative shows that motivation to learn need not always come from conventional rewards. Shared experiences, personal attention, and time in a favorite place can be the greatest encouragement.

Ledići has therefore become not only a place for relaxation, friendship, and learning life skills, but also a destination children look forward to as a reward for their hard work and academic success.

Rescued Cats as Special Friends to the Children

Spending time with cats from this mountain village has become a special part of children's stays in Ledići. Over time, the cats began gathering around the Small Family Home, and  Foundation Second took responsibility for their care. The Foundation established a dedicated shelter known as the Mini Cat Barn and has so far arranged the sterilization of nine cats, along with vaccinations and regular veterinary care.

Interaction with cats offers valuable emotional and therapeutic potential for children. Through play and caring for animals, they develop empathy, tenderness, responsibility, and trust.

The strong bond between the children and their four-legged friends is evident even after they return home. They continue talking about the cats, asking how they are doing, and eagerly awaiting their next visit.

The cats, which spontaneously became part of everyday life in Ledići, have brought children joy and beautiful memories, showing how caring for animals can enrich their experiences in nature.

Excursions, Travel, and Experiences Children Will Remember

Over the past two years, Foundation Second has organized and supported numerous excursions and trips for children from Bjelave Children's Home and its small family homes in Sokolović Kolonija, Blagovac, Marijin Dvor, and Kovačići.

Children have visited cities across Bosnia and Herzegovina, enjoyed excursions to Ravna Planina and Mount Igman, taken part in recreational and educational activities, and experienced special adventures such as a trip to Gardaland in Italy.

These activities mean far more than simply taking a trip. They help children broaden their horizons, build friendships, develop confidence, and enjoy experiences that should be part of every childhood.

Weekend Activities – A Program the Foundation Is Particularly Proud Of

Among the many joint initiatives, the weekend program with the Bistri Izvor and Bejan associations holds a particularly important place.

Foundation Second is now in its third year of running this program. Almost every weekend, Director Belma Mujezinović, together with Foundation volunteers and caregivers, organizes and accompanies children to educational and developmental activities.

The program includes children from Bjelave Children's Home and its small family homes in Sokolović Kolonija, Blagovac, Marijin Dvor, and Kovačići.

Alongside learning, children build friendships, a sense of belonging, responsibility, and positive habits. Regular meetings help them develop stable relationships with peers and supportive adults.

Foundation Second organizes and finances transportation, one of the program's largest ongoing expenses.

This program is a strong example of how consistent, long-term support can positively influence children's development.

Ramadan Iftars – A Tradition of Togetherness and Care

Traditional Ramadan iftars also hold a special place in the cooperation between Foundation Second and Bjelave Children's Home. The Foundation organizes these gatherings every year for children from the Home and its small family homes.

These gatherings have become a cherished tradition, bringing together children, caregivers, volunteers, and friends of the Foundation to share the joy of Ramadan evenings.

More than a shared meal, these iftars create moments of closeness, friendship, and care, helping children feel part of a wider community that remembers them and looks forward to seeing them.

Thanks to donors and friends of Foundation Second, this tradition continues year after year, demonstrating that consistency, presence, and genuine attention are among the most valuable forms of support for children without parental care.

Support for More Than 60 Families at Risk

The cooperation between Foundation Second and Bjelave Children's Home extends beyond children living in residential care.

Through the Home's Family and Child Support Service, Second Foundation has provided various forms of assistance to more than 60 families at risk over the past two years.

Support has included food, clothing, footwear, school supplies, firewood, household equipment, and other essentials tailored to each family's needs.

One of the strengths of this partnership is the ability to respond promptly when the Service's professional staff identify a family in urgent need.

In this way, Second Foundation also supports preventive efforts by helping create better conditions for children to grow up within their biological families.

Scholarships, Inclusion, and Support for Young People Becoming Independent

Alongside meeting children's everyday needs, Foundation Second emphasizes education and opportunities for a more independent future.

Through its scholarship program, the Foundation supports talented and high-achieving students from Bjelave Children's Home, recognizing their effort, dedication, and academic accomplishments.

The Foundation has also supported young people leaving institutional care, including help with employment, housing, and the transition to independent living.

Another important area of cooperation involves children with developmental disabilities, including creative workshops, inclusive gatherings, and programs implemented with other organizations.

Numerous individual donations have also been made to children and small family homes, from clothing and footwear to furniture, household appliances, and equipment that improves everyday life.

January Brings a New Challenge – The First Winter Holiday Program for All Children in Ledići

One of the meeting's most important topics was the plan for January 2027, when Bjelave Children's Home and Foundation Second intend to organize, for the first time, a winter holiday program in Ledići for all children from the Home.

Children will be able to spend part of their winter school break in the mountains, in groups and time slots adapted to the facility's capacity.

The aim is to offer far more than an ordinary stay outside the city. Plans include snow games, walks, creative and educational workshops, preparing meals together, spending time with animals, and other activities in a warm, safe, family-like atmosphere.

Additional donor support will be needed to make the winter holiday program possible and ensure that children have the best possible experience.

Foundation Second invites companies, organizations, and individuals to support this joint project and help fill January in Ledići with children's smiles, play, and lasting memories.

A Shared Vision for the Future

The meeting also covered opportunities to further develop the Small Family Home in Ledići, expand children's activities, improve existing programs, and continue supporting families at risk.

Special emphasis was placed on new outdoor facilities for play, recreation, and social interaction, as well as improving the safety of the space where children stay.

Belma Mujezinović, Director of Foundation Second, emphasized that the greatest value of the cooperation lies in its continuity and mutual trust.

“When I look back at everything we have accomplished together over the past two years, I am especially grateful that our cooperation has gone far beyond individual donations and occasional activities. In Ledići, we have created a place that truly comes alive thanks to the children who visit it. We have invested a great deal of work, time, and resources, but what we have received in return cannot be measured in money. I am particularly proud of our weekend activities because almost every weekend I see how much these gatherings, friendships, and the sense of belonging mean to the children. I am also looking forward to our first major winter holiday program in January, and I hope donors will help us give every child the best possible winter break. I am grateful to Director Musić and his colleagues for their trust, openness, and willingness to work together to find the best solutions for children. There is still much work ahead of us, but also many wonderful plans,” said Mujezinović.

Muhamed Musić, Director of the Sarajevo Home for Children Without Parental Care, emphasized the importance of partnerships with organizations that understand children's needs and are committed to providing long-term support.

“For our institution, it is extremely important to have partners who are present in children's everyday lives and who understand that caring for them involves much more than meeting their basic needs. Our cooperation with Foundation Second has demonstrated how much can be achieved through joint efforts, from developing and improving the Small Family Home in Ledići to numerous educational, recreational, and other activities. We particularly appreciate the continuity of support and the Foundation's willingness to respond to the needs of children and families requiring assistance. I believe we will continue strengthening this cooperation and implementing new projects in the best interests of children,” Musić emphasized.

Two Years of Achievements and New Shared Goals

The cooperation between Foundation Second and Bjelave Children's Home demonstrates what can be accomplished when a public institution, a nonprofit organization, donors, and volunteers work toward a shared goal.

Behind these projects stand numerous individuals, companies, institutions, and organizations whose support has helped turn plans into reality.

Foundation Second thanks all donors and partners who have supported joint activities over the past two years and helped create better opportunities for children.

The upcoming winter holiday program in Ledići is another opportunity to strengthen this cooperation and demonstrate what collective effort can achieve for children without parental care.

Investing in children is not only an investment in their present. It is an investment in their future, their self-confidence, and their sense that they are not alone on their journey through life.