Ongoing AfterSchool Tutoring for 70 orphans in BIH

Project: "Afterschool program" at the "Dom porodica" Zenica orphanage
Report Period: April – June 2015

User: 6 - 19 years old

Number of instructors: 12

Like every quarter, the Afterschool program at Zenica orphanage is divided into several groups determined on the need of the children. For some, we are organizing classes to help with their homework’s or exams and for others we organize extracurricular activities to keep them entertained and help develop new hobbies to assure that they are not bored and that they stay out of trouble.

1)  Lessons to help with homework and exams

In April, many students were attending extra lessons from different subjects because end of the year was approaching when they had upcoming exams. Most of them had troubles with math especially students who were graduating high school and middle school. One of the students who goes to high school Bakir and does not know much of math regularly comes to extra lessons. His biggest problem is that he doesn’t follow lesson nor does he writes anything down. Three instructors worked regularly with Bakir every weekday from for an hour to prepare him for his exams. After each lesson he would get homework, which he finished until next lesson. Bakir once told us that he would like to enter university but we have to continue with the lessons to increase his chances of getting accepted. Not only Bakir was extraordinary and interested in extra lessons but also Ajla, who was graduating from primary school and asked for help with English because she needed to improve her grades to pass with a B. Our volunteer Sejla helped her with reading and translating texts. Next week Ajla came to thank Sejla for helping her. What was most moving was seeing children helping each other improve their knowledge and pass exams. It was great pleasure to watch them helping each other.

12 volunteers were involved in extra lessons in different areas teaching 34 primary and 15 high school students.

2) Creative workshop

One of the highlights of Afterschool program are creative workshops which gather all kids in the orphanage and everybody loves to participate. There were some high school beneficiaries like Fehim, Adem, Abdurahman, Mirnes who came to see and learn basics about decorating. This workshop serves as a real relaxation and something completely different from the subjects they take in school. Students were fully engaged in decorating and making presents for their care takers and teachers. Some kids were cutting and preparing material, some were cleaning bottles while some brought hair-driers and dried almost finished products. Many care takers asked our volunteers to organize workshop for them, too because they really liked what the children were making. We showed kids how they can earn some money by making and decorating different products, which can be sold. In one of these workshops there were also Roma children, who were recently admitted to orphanage. This was a great way to help them meet their new friends with whom they will be living at the orphanage.

3) Computer workshop

One of the aims of this workshop was to gather high school student who hardly come to extra lessons and to provide them with something that would be more interesting for their age group. There were about 15 children who used to be violent and aggressive while in this workshop but they were calmed and relaxed. It is well-known fact that boys enjoy computers and internet while this time they learned about different components and its functions. Many of them acquired knowledge very fast and learned how to install systems and different programs. One very interesting thing they did is that they together with their teacher matched computer parts into a box which girls previously decorated and put it in function. Kids showed their creativity and imagination once more.

4.) Music workshop

We started this workshop in April when two music teachers joined our team and expressed their will to work with kids in orphanage. Since there is a piano in the orphanage we wanted to seize it in the best way. These two teachers come on Saturdays and have workshop on piano with several kids individually. Four kids participate in this workshop. Since this workshop requires individual approach, we planned to involve more kids next month which means each month there will be new kids added to this workshop. We want all kids interested in music to see how it works and also to be musically educated.

5.) Free activities

In May, we had many free activities like quizzes, going out, visiting Philosophical university in Zenica, going for a trip to Visoko and Sarajevo. Kids enjoyed educational quizzes especially when they compete for awards. In May we took them out to a coffee shop together with two care takers and had a great time. After that we visited Philosophical University because many kids are interested how does it look to go to college, how are the teachers and being a student. We entered some lectures and kids were greeted by teachers.

At the sport centre, it was organized a Kids day and we brought 35 kids there for ceremony. In June we organized a trip for volunteers and some kids who attended workshops regularly to Visoko and Sarajevo. We visited famous factory in Visoko, Vispak and saw the process of food production. We had great time there and in Sarajevo.

6.) Graduation

Since four of our Afterschool program beneficiaries were graduating, we planned to organize something for them. Well, we talked to some girls, students who are extremely good at make-up to come to the orphanage and help these girls get ready for graduation. We bought some make-up material and our volunteers put make-up and different hair styles on our students. They were so happy about that and liked it very much.

Overall results this quarter

-       All students attending Afterschool program passed in all subjects with good marks.

-       Kids learned how to decorate different products and how to make some money.

-       High school boys got knowledge in IT and got more interested in it.

-       Kids visited our famous factory and saw how people work and produce our food.

-       Students got awarded after they accomplished good marks at school and in behavior

-       Several students learned basics of playing piano and we hope to continue adding more children over the summer   

        break.

Plans for the afterschool program during the summer vacation

-       Volleyball tournament

-       Iftar during the month of Ramadan

-       Music lessons

-       Creative workshops

-       Drama club