Ongoing AfterSchool Tutoring for 70 orphans in BIH

BOSANA FOUNDATION

After School Program Report

June 2023 Report

The Bosana Foundation maintains its dedication to supporting three unique after-school programs located in Zenica, Tuzla, and Sarajevo.

In this Quarterly report, we will offer a comprehensive overview of the significant activities and accomplishments of each program, highlighting the unwavering commitment of our coordinator and volunteers to create a secure, motivational, and enriching environment for orphans.

After School program in Zenica

The After School Program in Zenica has expanded its volunteer capacity by welcoming two new members who are Bosana scholarship recipients studying medicine at the University of Zenica.

We have also improved our teaching methods to better support our students.

Our program serves an average of 50 students, including 33 elementary and 17 high school students. Among students in grades 5 to 9, there is a growing demand for instructional classes.

Many students faced difficulties in understanding physics, mathematics, and programming concepts. To address this, we implemented innovative methods integrating STEM principles, resulting in significant improvements in student performance.

We are pleased to report that all our students successfully completed the second semester without any failing grades.

Two medical student volunteers implemented an engaging workshop on human body functions, specifically focusing on the heart, capillaries, and blood circulation.

The workshop garnered enthusiastic participation from 15 children, aged seven to fifteen, regardless of their age.

Building on our previous efforts, we organized workshops on programming, robotics, STEM, 3D modeling, and 3D printing. Advanced sessions provided opportunities for young people to learn programming skills, operate assembled robots, use 3D pens and printers, and even involve younger children in programming logic-based activities without the need for tablets or computers.

During the three-month, period from March-May, the children acquired proficiency in STEM skills and successfully created video animations and their own games.

Inspired by the high level of interest and outstanding results, our coordinator, Adi, collaborated with the staff of the orphanage "Dom Porodica" Zenica, which includes a pedagogue, psychologist, and educators, to organize additional STEM workshops.

In addition to the aforementioned activities, our program recognizes the importance of incorporating recreational activities alongside formal education.

During the holiday season, we arranged iftar gatherings, providing opportunities for young participants to socialize, enjoy music, sing, and engage in social games.

Looking ahead, we have plans to acquire several guitars, enabling our volunteers with music expertise to teach talented children how to play.

This will further diversify their skill sets and foster creativity.

After School program in Tuzla

In the past three months, our program had six volunteers who primarily worked with around fifty children.

• We welcomed one new volunteer, a Bosana scholar from the Faculty in Tuzla.

The children from the Tuzla Orphanage had the opportunity to receive tutoring in subjects like Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Mathematics, and the Bosnian- Croatian-Serbian language from Bosana students.

Several children showed improved grades, proving the importance of these instructional classes.

Activities were scheduled twice a week, mainly on Wednesdays and Sundays, with occasional sessions on Saturdays depending on volunteer availability, following the same pattern as before.

In March, our volunteers organized sports activities, which became the highlight of the year and were highly appreciated by the children.

In April and May, the focus shifted to school subjects, preparing the children for their final oral and written tests.

To keep the children engaged, we also offered fun activities through creative workshops, such as drawing and making plasticine figures.

One challenge we faced when working with children from the Tuzla Orphanage is their frequent movement, departure, and return. At times, there were over 20 abandoned babies, which made it difficult to conduct activities with primary and high school students due to various circumstances.

During such challenging periods, we plan to collaborate with other After School Programs in Zenica and Sarajevo to organize educational and interactive camps for orphans.

In the next phase, our goal is to provide volunteer training by sharing experiences with volunteers from Zenica and Sarajevo.

After School program in Sarajevo

The After School Program in Sarajevo has maintained its regular activities from the previous period.

The main focus of tutoring remains on academic subjects such as mathematics, physics, English, and Bosnian-Croatian-Serbian language, and recently, physics and chemistry classes have been introduced.

A significant event during this quarter was an educational-recreational trip to Mount Igman in May, where children from the orphanages "Dom za djecu bez roditeljskog staranja“ and “mali porodicni dom Marin dvor”, along with educators and volunteers, learned interesting facts about the mountain, its landmarks, and the Olympic Games. After the informative session, the children and volunteers enjoyed sports activities, social games, and walks on the mountain.

Five workshops were also held monthly, each lasting two hours, including piano lessons and jewelry making.

Children living in orphanages in Sarajevo receive help with homework, and exam preparation, and participate in various educational and creative activities.

Despite ongoing reorganization within the orphanage, classes are still available for children from the daycare center and those with developmental disabilities.

The program currently has eight permanent volunteers, seven of whom are Bosana scholars. Even after completing their education and scholarship program, Bosana scholars continue to volunteer in the program. The coordinator of the program is a former Bosana student who also grew up in the same orphanage.

Volunteers undergo training and educational workshops to ensure they are well-prepared to work with this vulnerable group.

The Bosana Foundation remains dedicated to the advancement of these after-school programs, ensuring that orphaned children in Zenica, Tuzla, and Sarajevo are provided with the necessary tools and opportunities to thrive and succeed.

Together, we continue to make a lasting impact on their lives!