In a small attic of an old house, accessible by narrow stairs, lives a single mother with her three-year-old daughter. This is the second Ramadan since they became part of the Support service for families and children at the Cantonal public institution Home for children without parental care Sarajevo. During their visit, Amina Pohara and Vesna Stanišić from the service, along with Belma Mujezinović, director of Foundation Second, came to check on the family.

The mother faces severe financial difficulties, and due to minimal income, there is a risk of separation from her daughter and placement in an alternative care facility.

Today, the daughter attends kindergarten, while the mother strives to meet their basic needs by working as a housekeeper at a nearby hotel for a daily wage of 15 EUR. However, she admitted with uncertainty that she hasn’t received work calls for some time.

During the visit, the daughter greeted the guests with a smile, but with mild disappointment, noticed that there were no toys among the groceries brought.

“Isn’t there a baby for me?” she asked, to which the mother smiled and replied, “There are plenty in the room, but she always likes to get one more.”

The mother expressed gratitude for the food delivered and showed the fridge where she had prepared a traditional dish, but inside, there were only a few basic ingredients.

“Sometimes fasting is hard because I don’t eat much, but I try to make sure she always has a good meal,” she quietly said, looking at her daughter.

Before leaving, the mother mentioned owing about 100 EUR for electricity and having already received a disconnection notice.

"In working with socially vulnerable families, we encounter women who, despite all challenges, make incredible efforts to keep their families together. This mother is an example of courage and resilience, and it is our responsibility, with the support of donors, to provide them with more stable living conditions," emphasized Amina Pohara, head of the Support service for families and children.

Belma Mujezinović, director of Foundation Second, promised to cover the electricity debt to ease the mother and daughter's concerns during Ramadan.

“For families living in unstable conditions, even small debts can be a barrier that places them in a more difficult position. Helping in such situations means more than just financial support – it is a message that they are not alone,” added Belma Mujezinović, director of Foundation Second.

This family is one of 18 included in the Support service for families and children, and Foundation Second strives to provide continuous support to ensure children grow up in a safer and warmer environment. The Ramadan package with essential groceries, delivered to them, was provided by donors of Foundation Second. Each package is carefully tailored to the family’s needs and always contains fresh and individually purchased ingredients to ensure they receive what is most needed at the moment.

We invite all who wish to help to join Foundation Second in ensuring a more dignified life for these families. Every donation – regardless of the amount – can bring a smile to the faces of those who need it most.