Don’t give up…
Drazen is a young man whose life story speaks of both hardship and hope. Until the age of seven, he lived with his parents, brother, and two sisters in very difficult conditions in an old, rundown house that was often without hot water. Going without food was an experience Drazen got used to. His childhood was marked by instability and his father’s alcoholism and violence.
Because his parents were unable to care for the Drazen and his brother and sisters properly, social services placed them in foster care. Drazen and his older brother were placed in one family, while his sisters went to another. Drazen endured years of strict rules, emotional hardship, and, later, physical and emotional abuse after his brother moved into independent living. During this painful period, Drazen often felt alone and hopeless but for a small dog named Bonnie who became his one source of comfort and joy.
When he turned 18, Drazen joined the House of Opportunity project in Varaždin, where his brother was already living. There, he experienced freedom, support, and understanding for the first time. He began to heal, discover his identity, and build confidence in himself.
Drazen spent three years in the House of Opportunity. During his last year there, he started attending church and worked closely with a mentor on important life questions about his identity, purpose, and how that fitted with faith.
With guidance and encouragement, Drazen changed jobs, decided to become independent, and moved into his own apartment. Today, he is living the life he once only dreamed of! He is working, continuing to learn to cook, and attending driving school with the goal of passing his driving test as soon as possible.
Looking to the future, Drazen hopes to meet someone with whom he can build a family. He lives with gratitude, courage, and faith, believing that God has a plan for his life. You can never say that the hard times are over, but the team at House of Opportunity Varaždin will support Drazen as he works at his hopeful new life.