The renovation of the Small Family Home in Ledići does not end with restoring the house itself. Over the past few weeks, Foundation Second Director Belma Mujezinović and volunteers have been working hard to transform the yard into a place where children without parental care will soon be able to play, socialize, and relax.
The Small Family Home in Ledići is owned by the Public Institution Home for Children Without Parental Care Sarajevo, while Foundation Second manages the facility and implements its programs in cooperation with the institution. Throughout the year, children from the Bjelave Home, as well as children from other residential care institutions across Bosnia and Herzegovina, come to Ledići to spend time in nature, learn through hands-on activities, and create lifelong memories.
A space that had been neglected for years, overgrown with tall grass, weeds, and shrubs, is gradually taking on a completely new appearance. The work is still ongoing, and each passing week brings visible progress.
The first step was mowing the tall grass and removing the dense weeds that had covered almost the entire yard. This was followed by clearing waste, cutting back overgrown vegetation, and tidying the area around the old stone buildings.
Special attention was given to creating flower beds. Instead of purchasing large amounts of soil, the team used natural compost from the old barn, providing rich nourishment for the newly planted flowers. In this way, something that once served the rural household has found a new purpose.
Various species of wildflowers, well suited to the mountain climate of Ledići, have been planted. Most of the seedlings were donated by a neighbour from the village, while Foundation Second purchased some and friends of the Foundation contributed the rest.
Children without parental care who regularly stay at the Small Family Home also took part in the project. With big smiles, they watered the newly planted flowers, making their own contribution to creating a place where they and many other children will enjoy carefree days together.
Even the stones found a new purpose. Much of the stone collected during the cleanup was reused to create natural borders around the flower beds, preserving the authentic appearance of a traditional Bosnian mountain village. At the same time, a large amount of waste that had accumulated over many years was removed from the property.
"We are not trying to finish everything at once. Little by little, with the help of volunteers, neighbours, and friends of the Foundation, this yard is becoming more beautiful every day. We want every child who comes to Ledići, no matter which part of Bosnia and Herzegovina they come from, to feel the warmth of a home and the kindness of the people who welcome them," said Foundation Second Director Belma Mujezinović.
The work is not finished yet. The next phase includes removing larger rocks with heavy machinery, spreading gravel, continuing to plant flowers, and further improving the entire yard.
Every new flower, every stone carefully placed, and every hour of volunteer work brings the shared vision closer to reality – making the Small Family Home in Ledići a place where children from across Bosnia and Herzegovina will always be happy to return.