Day Centre for Children with Disabilities Opened in Olovo

In the premises of the Social Work Centre in Olovo, a Day Centre for children with disabilities was opened on Monday, offering numerous services for which children and their parents previously had to travel to Sarajevo or Zenica, reports the Bosnian news agency Patria.

Along with services from speech therapists, orthopaedists and other professionals as needed during the operation of the Day Centre, children will be able to spend time, socialise, play and learn in the Centre's premises.

The Day Centre was opened with funds from UNICEF and the Swiss Government, and its work is supported by the Social Work Centre and the Municipality of Olovo, as well as the Zenica-Doboj Canton and the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Centre was opened by Selma Kazić on behalf of UNICEF BiH and Miroslav Jurešić, Assistant Minister of Labour and Social Policy of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina for Social Protection and Protection of Families and Children.

- Our children have received another useful service. I hope that Olovo will be a positive example for all other municipalities on how, with a little will, effort and dedication, a great and important result can be achieved - said Jurešić at the opening.

- These are your premises, premises for your children where they can spend time. We believe they will be of great benefit to the children who will come and stay here, as well as to parents who will know that their children are safe and under professional supervision while they can attend to other important obligations. UNICEF is committed to all children, and children with disabilities are in our hearts - said Selma Kazić.

Parents and children also expect to finally have the corner they need so that children can have everything they need without having to go far.

Samija Salibašić came with her son Mirel. She says that Mirel finished his education at the "Vladimir Nazor" Centre in Sarajevo, and that he now needs a day centre. Meanwhile, Bilal, who came with his mother Vahida Višća, does not attend school and hopes the Centre will be of use to him.

As explained by the acting director of the Social Work Centre in Olovo, Selvedin Karić, before the Day Centre is fully operational, a meeting with parents will first be held, and based on the final number of children and their needs, a schedule for the centre's work and necessary therapies will be drawn up. The Day Centre is equipped with speech therapy equipment, orthopaedic beds and other equipment, and has an adapted bathroom and toilet.