The "Dom porodica" Home in Zenica: Children who came to us from maternity wards are successful people today

The "Dom porodica" Children's Home in Zenica was founded in 1960 and is intended for the care of children and youth without parental care, as well as children and youth whose development is hindered by family circumstances, writes the BH News Agency Patria.

The capacity of the home is 150 residents, and today there are slightly less than 100, divided into 8 families, by age, and after 12 years of age, by gender. Employees strive to provide children with all the love and warmth of a home.

The director of this institution, Branko Dilber, told the Patria agency that it often happens that children are placed in the home directly from maternity wards, and they spend more than 20 years there.

- It is not the practice for a child to leave the home at 18. The practice is that a person leaves the home only when they meet the conditions to live independently. It has never happened that a child leaves the home without having anywhere to go – said Dilber, adding that those who want to study stay at the home.

- They receive scholarships and we help them. Those who do not want to study find jobs through various organizations, or they stay with us until a solution is found – Dilber explained to NAP.

Summer Vacations for Children

Traditionally, for ten years in a row, the home's employees have been organizing summer vacations for their residents. This year, they visited the beaches of Italy and Croatia with the help of non-governmental organizations and many other donors. They stayed in Sicily, visited Genoa, and in Croatia, Kaštel Lukšić. Besides resting and having fun, they also learn the language.

- When the holidays come, the question always arises, what, how, and where to go with the children. We try our best to take the children to camps and workshops abroad. This year, we had very good relations with the non-governmental sector, foundations, and organizations, so in addition to summer vacations, we also provided winter vacations – said Dilber.

During the summer, they often go to swimming pools in Zenica.

Residents Help at the Home

In addition to school obligations, children often help at the home. For many, this is good preparation for work. One such example is 17-year-old Mirnes Č., who works as a doorman and is preparing for independent life and further struggles.

Many children have developed numerous talents, so a large number of them are involved in sports, music, dance... Several girls have played for the BiH national football team, while one girl competed in ballet.

- There are many such cases, and I often meet children today who left the home a long time ago but are now with their families. They are mostly successful people, and I always enjoy talking to them – Dilber concluded.