During the past year, the Tešanj Center for Children and Adults with Special Needs not only organized activities – it opened the doors of the world to those who remained invisible for too long. Through a fashion show in which the users proudly walked the runway, visits to factories where they experienced everyday working life for the first time, and numerous joint meetings with citizens, the Center built bridges of understanding, self-confidence and belonging. About those small but deeply significant victories, about the power of inclusion and the community that learns to accept, Erna Samardžić, B.Sc., speaks for ZOS Radio. special educator-rehabilitator and head of PJ Center for children and adults with special needs Tešanj.
Community perception: From care to partnership
Over the past year, the community’s perception of Tešanj Day Center has changed significantly. As Erna Samardžić points out, the Center is no longer perceived exclusively as a care institution, but as an active and important partner in building an inclusive society.
“Through public events, workshops and open communication, we have become a place of positive change. Our users are more visible, more accepted and more equal members of the community. The biggest indicator of progress is the reduction of feelings of shame among parents and greater openness of citizens, who today spontaneously offer help and support,” says Samardžić.
Citizen support: From pity to acceptance
Support for people with developmental disabilities in Tešanj, she adds, is more concrete and meaningful today.
“Understanding has moved from pity to acceptance. Citizens are helping through donations, volunteer work and invitations to our users to participate in local events.”
As a particularly significant example, he points out the celebration of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, when the company Inžinjering 1 Jelah, together with the owner’s family, donated a van for the needs of the Center. On the same day, the organization was supported by women from the economic sector from the Tešanj municipality.
“These are moments that confirm that the community breathes together with us,” emphasizes Samardžić.
Young people as agents of change
The center places special emphasis on working with children and young people, who, it says, are the greatest strength of inclusion.
“We have an active volunteer club in which secondary and primary school students from Tešnj participate. Through creative workshops and sports activities, two-way inclusion develops – our users get company and support, and young people develop empathy, social sensitivity and new friendships,” our interlocutor points out.
Solidarity that brings concrete results
One of the important steps forward in the past year is the partnership with the Employment Service, through which a pilot project of supported employment was launched.
“We cooperate with the public and private sector whenever necessary. Inclusion must be a lasting value, not a project that lasts as long as there are funds. It must be part of the municipality’s development strategy, but also part of the consciousness of every citizen,” says Samardžić.
Professional breakthroughs and early intervention
The expansion of the professional orientation program, the introduction of an additional early intervention team, as well as the formation of an expert team for the detection, assessment and monitoring of children at risk stand out as one of the biggest professional developments in the work of the Center.
“This significantly relieves parents, both time and money, and enables better and earlier support for children.” – explains Erna Samardžić.
Plans for the coming year: Visibility and active participation
In the coming period, it is planned to launch an inclusive volunteer program in which users, together with high school students and pensioners, will participate in public actions such as cleaning parks and donor bazaars. As our interlocutor explained, in this way they want to show that the users of the Center are not only recipients of aid, but active contributors to the community. They also plan greater digital visibility through video stories about their talents, hobbies and challenges, as well as inclusive cultural manifestations and exhibitions of works in galleries.
A message to the citizens of Tešnj
Finally, Erna Samardžić sends a strong and clear message:
“Inclusion is not charity, it is wealth. It teaches us patience, empathy and humanity. Everyone can contribute – with a smile, patience, an invitation for coffee or simply acknowledging the presence of a person with difficulties. Open hearts and doors, because in this way we build a better and stronger society.”
