Latest News &Impact Stories from Second Foundation
Explore powerful stories and updates from our work with orphans, children with special needs, single parents, domestic violence survivors, at-risk families, and the animals we protect at our Cat Residence. Learn how Second Foundation is creating change through humanitarian programs like Abu Huraira Haven and joyful community events across Bosnia and Herzegovina.
We made the most of one of the last warm and sunny days of October by doing something children love most – going out, playing, spending time together and enjoying new experiences. Thanks to Kids Village, which opened its doors to our children completely free of charge, we organised a day trip for 25 children from the Sarajevo Public Institution Home for Children without Parental Care. Foundation Second provided transportation.
Joining us were children from the Nursery and Reception Units of the Bjelave Children's Home, as well as children from four small family homes – Sokolović Kolonija, Kovačići, Marijin Dvor and Blagovac. It was a large and cheerful group of different ages – from our youngest little ones to older children – so we made sure there was something for everyone to enjoy.
And that sunny October day was exactly what we had hoped it would be – filled with children's laughter, running, play and time spent together.
The children enjoyed the many activities and facilities Kids Village has to offer. They spent time at the playground, took part in various activities and workshops, explored the surroundings and, above all, simply enjoyed being children.
Kids Village is much more than just a place to play. Set in the natural surroundings of Bojnik, it is designed as a space where children can spend time outdoors, explore, participate in different workshops and meet the animals living on its small farm.
In addition to enjoying the many play facilities, our children also had the opportunity to spend time with the animals, which particularly delighted the youngest among them. Encounters like these are much more than entertainment – they give children an opportunity to see animals up close, interact with them and learn about nature and the living world through direct experience.
However, if we asked the children what they enjoyed most that day, the answer would probably be very simple – the zipline and trampolines.
That was where we saw the most excitement and laughter – and where children eagerly waited for another turn.
And their excitement gave us a new idea.
As we watched them tirelessly run between the trampolines and the zipline, we thought: why not create something similar in Ledići?
Our Small Family Home has a large garden, beautiful natural surroundings and plenty of space offering many possibilities. We already have our Baraqah Corner, vegetable garden and cats, and on sunny days the children spend much of their time with us outdoors, playing and enjoying nature.
That is why we would love to add some of the activities the children themselves showed us they enjoy so much – a trampoline and a zipline – and, over time, other outdoor play equipment as well.
Because we do not want Ledići to be simply a place where children come to stay for a few days.
We want it to be their place for adventure, exploration, friendship and freedom. A place where they will want to stay for just one more day – and one they will always want to return to.
And so, one sunny October day trip also became an inspiration for what we might create next.
We are especially grateful to Kids Village for hosting all 25 children completely free of charge and giving them a day filled with activities, workshops, play and new experiences.
And when 25 children return home at the end of the day, tired from playing and full of stories and impressions, we know that we made the very best of that sunny October day.
Support Our Work
With the support of friends of Foundation Second, we can continue creating a place in Ledići that children will look forward to visiting and will always want to return to.
If you would like to become part of this story and help us provide children with even more experiences like these, you can find all donation options at this link.
For the second year in a row, we are giving children without parental care the opportunity to spend their weekends outside institutional care, socialize with their peers, and become part of a community where people know them, expect them, and look forward to seeing them. This year, as many as 23 children are taking part in the program.
Last Saturday, the Bistri Izvor Association held its annual closing ceremony, during which diplomas, certificates of achievement, and awards were presented to children who attended the association’s educational and developmental programs throughout the previous school year.