The courtyard of the Small Family Home in Ledići is getting a completely new look. With the support of Swiss Barakah Charity, Foundation Second has completed the majority of the “Barakah Corner – a space for children to learn and spend time together in Ledići” project, transforming a previously neglected and difficult-to-use part of the courtyard into a welcoming space designed for children, learning, socialising and spending time in nature.

When we began the work, this part of the property contained the remains of old stone structures, uneven ground, rocks and overgrown areas. Clearing and preparing the site was the first and, at the same time, one of the most demanding stages of the project.

Throughout the implementation of the project, the works were regularly supervised on site by Foundation Second Director Belma Mujezinović and Muhamed Musić, Director of the Public Institution Home for Children without Parental Care Sarajevo, to ensure that the development of the space was carried out in accordance with the project plan and the needs of the children staying in Ledići.

With the help of machinery, the remains of collapsed walls and excess material were removed, while the ground was levelled and prepared for its new purpose. At the same time, we wanted to preserve what gives Ledići its distinctive character – the old stone walls, trees and the authentic atmosphere of a Bosnian mountain village.

The gazebo as the heart of Barakah Corner

Once the site had been prepared, work began on the foundations and concrete slab, followed by the construction of the wooden structure and roof of the gazebo.

Today, the gazebo already stands in our courtyard, surrounded by greenery and overlooking the mountains. It will be the central gathering place of Barakah Corner – a space where children can share meals, talk, read, learn, take part in workshops or simply enjoy spending time outdoors.

For the children who come to Ledići, we want to create as many opportunities as possible to participate in activities that are part of everyday family life. Preparing food together, setting the table, sharing a meal outdoors, talking and spending time together may seem like small, everyday things, but it is precisely through these experiences that children develop independence, responsibility and a sense of belonging and togetherness.

The gazebo will also allow us to organise many of our activities outdoors while providing protection from the strong summer sun and occasional rain.

The next step – a brick barbecue

Barakah Corner is not yet fully completed.

The next step is the construction of a brick barbecue, which will be located next to the gazebo. The barbecue will further enhance the space and allow us to prepare a variety of outdoor meals together with the children.

Cooking in Ledići is about much more than preparing food. It is part of the activities through which children learn practical life skills – from planning meals and preparing ingredients to sharing responsibilities, working together and taking care of the space after the meal is finished.

Once the barbecue has been built, the final landscaping and greening of the area will follow, making Barakah Corner a fully functional and welcoming part of the courtyard.

A space for learning life skills

For us, Ledići is not simply a place where children come for a day trip or holiday. From the very beginning, we wanted the Small Family Home to be a place where children learn valuable life skills through everyday activities.

Here, children work in the garden and harvest vegetables, prepare meals, bake bread, help take care of the house and the cats, read and write, play and explore nature. They learn to take on small responsibilities, help one another and see the results of their own efforts.

Barakah Corner will now become another important part of this concept.

Here, we will organise educational and creative workshops, shared meals, nature-based activities and opportunities for children from different care institutions and programmes to spend time together.

An investment that will serve generations of children

The long-term impact of this project is one of its greatest values.

The gazebo, brick barbecue and landscaped courtyard are not intended for just one group of children or a single season. This space will remain in Ledići and serve generations of children who will visit the Small Family Home in the years to come.

We expect hundreds of children to use Barakah Corner every year, together with educators, professional staff and volunteers participating in programmes and activities in Ledići.

By transforming this part of the courtyard, we are creating lasting value and another space where children can learn, develop new skills, build relationships and create happy memories.

With the support of Swiss Barakah Charity

The implementation of the Barakah Corner project was made possible thanks to the support of Swiss Barakah Charity, which recognised our vision of transforming a neglected part of the courtyard into a place of real and lasting value for children.

The photographs best illustrate just how much this space has changed – from collapsed stone walls and neglected ground to the gazebo that now stands at the heart of Barakah Corner.

There are still a few final steps ahead of us, the most important of which is the construction of the brick barbecue. Once completed, Barakah Corner will be ready for the purpose for which it was created – shared meals, workshops, learning, conversations, friendship and the creation of new memories in Ledići.