Many of us dream of owning a place in the country. We’re no exception here at House of Opportunity, and thanks to the generosity of supporters in Serbia and Germany, our partner organisation, Center Star, is on track to open a new village-based project.
The new rural House of Opportunity is located in Melnica, in the east of Serbia. The House is part of a smallholding that will in time grow food and provide respite and alternative residential activities for young people in the House of Opportunity programme in Serbia.
In early November, the Center Star team were excited to receive a grant to establish a woodwork shop on the site. Thanks to the support of Wiener Städtische Insurance, through the Günter Geyer Social Responsibility Fund, €20,000 have been provided for equipment and the renovation of a building.
This grant will allow young House residents the opportunity to acquire practical skills, knowledge of trade that will further help them find employment, and assist in the steps they are taking toward independence. Young people will have the opportunity to learn and create with their own hands, which will greatly contribute to their personal affirmation and sense of self-worth.
A spokeswoman for Wiener Städtische Insurance, Svetlana Smiljanic, pointed out that “It is important to provide opportunities for learning, development and empowerment of young people leaving the institutional care system. The House of Opportunity programme does just that – providing support on the way to independent life”.
Tatjana Dražilovic, director of Center Star added “This workshop is not just a space for work, but a symbol of faith in the potential of young people. We want to enable them to gain useful skills, but also the confidence to believe in their own abilities and capabilities”.
Tatjana continues, “Our association owes real gratitude to the residents of Melnica. Their cooperation and openness in all our work at the rural House of Opportunity demonstrates how important community and personal contribution are to creating better opportunities for young people. Thank you to the donors from the bottom of our hearts for their support for a unique concept of housing and support for young people in Serbia”.
The local community have really embraced this project, giving their time to help prepare the House and associated buildings, and supporters are backing the new rural House of Opportunity with their money too. What an encouragement for the Center Star team, and for the at-risk young people they work with to provide pathways that lead out of their difficult and dark pasts towards much brighter futures!
