Aunt Belma, are we going to do this in the next store too? – tired but with smiles from ear to ear, the girls dragged full baskets of clothes, toiletry bags, and glittery jackets, unaware of the budget but fully aware of the joy they felt.

The last day of Ramadan was just another weekend day for some, but for 19 children from the Home for Children without parental care Sarajevo, it was special. Their perseverance, strength, and dedication to worship during the past month were rewarded with a surprise they never expected – the opportunity to choose their own Eid clothes and shoes.

With the support of friends and donors, Foundation Second provided each child with a budget of 50 EUR so they could experience the joy of real shopping but, more importantly, the joy of sharing. As they picked out what they liked, some also thought of those who weren’t there with them at the shopping mall. One girl, instead of spending the entire amount on herself, bought leggings and a Pikachu t-shirt for a younger girl who had just arrived at the Home, knowing how much that cartoon character meant to her.

Of the 19 children who won the shopping prize, 17 picked out their clothes at West Gate Shopping Center, while two couldn’t attend as they were spending the weekend with relatives. They received their amount in cash so they, too, could feel a part of the Eid celebration.

"The children fasted with incredible dedication throughout Ramadan, refusing even the thought of breaking their fast, even when their caregivers lovingly advised them to eat something to make school obligations easier. For them, it wasn’t about giving something up—it was a challenge, a chance to prove their determination, strength, and perseverance," said Muhamed Musić, director of the Home, highlighting that among them was an eight-year-old girl who, completely voluntarily, fasted all 29 days of Ramadan.

But she wasn’t the only one. There was also a teenager with developmental difficulties, a girl born with a shorter leg, and many other children who saw fasting as an opportunity to prove themselves—to themselves, to each other, and to everyone who supported them.

"From the beginning of Ramadan, I wanted to bring joy to those who eagerly joined me in prayer, stayed until the end of Tarawih, and showed exceptional dedication. We didn’t want them to see worship as a path to shopping, but rather to reward those who worshipped without expecting anything in return except Allah’s pleasure. And, Alhamdulillah, we succeeded in that," said Belma Mujezinović, director of Foundation Second.

For many, this was the first time they got to choose what to wear, and their excitement knew no bounds. Two girls, briefly left unsupervised, filled their baskets with baby clothes, makeup, handbags, toiletry bags, sleep masks, headphones, and glittery jackets.

"We’re so tired. Are we going to do this in the next store too?" they asked, as the Foundation's director, smiling, took items out of the basket, carefully leaving only what they truly needed and what fit within the budget.

By the end of the day, everyone left the shopping center with bags full of carefully chosen clothes, ready to shine in new outfits for Eid—ones they loved and felt special in. But more importantly, they carried with them a feeling of love, care, and togetherness—the kind of feeling that can’t be bought, only given from the heart.

We owe special gratitude to the saleswomen at Waikiki, who generously contributed a 10% discount from their own earnings, allowing the children to purchase an extra piece of clothing. This act of kindness once again showed how even a small gesture can brighten someone's day.