Volunteers’ camp was held in Home for Children “Rada Vranješević” in Banja Luka, in a framework of a project “Volunteering for Cross border Local Community Development”. The camp “Smile” lasted for seven days, 15-22 August 2011, gathering volunteers from all project partners’ organisations: Association IKS-Petrinja, Disabled Persons’ Association (OSI)-Kutina, Association Women from Una-Bihać, Association BiosPLUS-Derventa, OKC Banja Luka and Local Democracy Agency Sisak. 29 volunteers from 6 towns were placed in the Home for Children and participated in everyday activities and various workshops that OKC Banja Luka and Red Cross Banja Luka organised for children as well as for volunteers. During the camp volunteers participated in firs aid training and reproductive health workshop, socialised with children in everyday activities, trips and together they created a play for the children. Volunteers took children to the cinema, bowling, swimming, horse riding and to the Zoo and created dancing, singing and painting workshops for the children.
“I really enjoyed working with children, and I know that the kids enjoyed the whole camp. The best thing was when we took the kids for a whole day trip and barbecue in the nature Mlinska Rijeka near Banja Luka. Moreover, it was great fun for me to sing and act with children and to create a play for them in which they can show what they have learned. I am sure that this kind of activity means a lot to them.“ – said volunteer Mia Katančević
“Volunteer camp left a big impression on me. Experience of volunteering in an Home for Children is incomparable with any other experience. Feelings that I felt in Banja Luka are hard to describe. There is no better gift for me than knowing that I made those kids there smile.“– said Dinko Kovačić.
