Fostering Tolerance and Integration – Uniting Children Through Joint Workshops
As the part of upcoming World Refugees Day, JRS organized excursion for children and boys residing in the Arrupe House, a shelter in Serbia. The purpose of this excursion was to facilitate a joint workshop between children and boys beneficiaries and local schoolchildren, along with their teachers. The workshop focused on the important themes of tolerance and the integration of refugees in school communities and Serbian society. Additionally, a creative workshop on flower arrangement was organized by secondary school students. The culmination of the event saw the Joint-Refugee Service (JRS) awarding certificates to all participants and recognizing the Elementary School “Vuk Karadzic” from Zitkovac, Aleksinac, as the most engaged school in promoting tolerance and integration.
The excursion and workshop brought together children from the Arrupe House, who had experienced displacement from their homes and families, and local schoolchildren from Aleksinac Municipality. It served as an opportunity for them to interact, learn from one another, and build bridges of understanding. The event was carefully designed and lead by teachers and JRS staff, to create a safe and inclusive space where participants could freely express their thoughts and emotions regarding tolerance and the integration of refugees.
The workshop focused on promoting empathy, understanding, and acceptance among the participants. Teachers engaged the children in discussions, activities, and group exercises that highlighted the importance of embracing diversity and fostering inclusivity within school communities and Serbian society at large. Through these activities, the children were encouraged to share their personal experiences and develop a deeper appreciation for the challenges faced by refugees.
In the additional creative workshop, secondary school students organized a creative session on flower arrangement. The workshop aimed to provide an avenue for self-expression, creativity, and collaboration. Participants learned various techniques and explored the beauty of floral design. This workshop not only allowed the children to engage in a fun and artistic activity but also promoted teamwork and communication among them. We also learned about the symbolism of flowers for welcoming friends, so our refugee children and boys felt welcome and experienced friendship in Aleksinac.
To acknowledge the efforts and active participation of all the children and teachers involved, JRS prepared and distributed certificates at the conclusion of the event. Each participant received recognition for their commitment to promoting tolerance and integration. Furthermore, JRS announced the selection of the Elementary School “Vuk Karadzic” from Zitkovac, Aleksinac, as the most engaged school in the project. This recognition served as an incentive for the school’s ongoing efforts to create an inclusive and accepting environment for refugees and foster greater integration within their school community.
The joint workshop and creative flower arrangement session between children from the Arrupe House and local schoolchildren proved to be an impactful and transformative experience. By addressing the themes of tolerance and integration, these workshops provided a platform for socializing, understanding, and personal growth. The event not only celebrated the diversity of the participants but also emphasized the importance of empathy and acceptance in building inclusive communities. Through such initiatives, we will continue to strive to create a society that embraces refugees and promotes their integration, while fostering a sense of belonging for all refugees in our communities.
Creative art workshops in the Integration House
To assist our small team and teach new beneficiaries new things, our art student Reza found time to organize art workshops for the boys in the Arrupe house. Remembering his first socialization workshops when he was a small boy in the Arrupe House, he decided to organize workshops in his free time, and to engage boys in creative workshops. Drawing, watercolor painting, mixing colors to create a painting, is always an interesting activity for all boys, regardless of their age.
Increased engagement on assistance to the injured and ill beneficiaries
The week before June 20 – Word Refugees Day, we have marked by increased engagement on assistance to our beneficiaries. We have sheltered a new group of boys age 5 to 15, who had serios injuries and need thorough medical examination and assistance in post hospital recovery. Our small team focused on the medical needs of our beneficiaries, which demanded engagement of our social workers and translator, and assistance from partner NGOs. One boy was released from hospital with external fixture of the broken thigh bone and asthma attacks, second arrived a several shrapnel in his reefs and with asthma, third a swelling on the previously broken foot… all needed repeated anti-scabies treatment. Boy who lost his foot in the train accident in the bordering area of north Serbia started rehabilitation process and preparation for prosthetic limb, so he needed daily accompaniment to the hospital facility for rehabilitation.
The engagement of our team in solving those and similar challenges will continue in the coming period.
