Ongoing AfterSchool Tutoring for 70 orphans in BIH

Project: "Afterschool program" in Zenica orphanage
01.01.-31.03.2016.

Beneficaires:  6 - 14 years old

Instructors: 13

Instructional classes
During the first part of this quarter, the beneficiaries were on their school recess but a lot of them still attended our afterschool program to complete homework that they were given over the break, writing essays, and other various projects to fill up their days. The month of january recorded the visits of some 50 beneficiaries eventhough it was their school vacation. The beneficiaries were keen to learn new materials that they did not understand, but also to do their homework. For the month of february and march, the program received even greater number of participants to the afterschool program because the beneficiaries went back to school and so they had more exams to prepare, written assignments, etc. The largest number of the interested children were out of high school who wanted to achieve good results and have good grades in order to enrolled in college next year. This is one of greatest indicators for this program because the interest of the bneeficiaries to attend collage has greatly increasted over the years since our program started. We are certain that this is thanks to our continous work with the beneficiaries because we helped them improve their grades and increate their interest in school. For this reason, our goal was always to include as many high school students to receive the best possible lessons that would improve their grades. In some of the beneficiaries it is already evident that their interst and potential to further their studies and attend university has increased. In particular, its great to point out to two beneficaires who are perfect exemples of high school students who wanted to attend collage after finishing high school. Through our afterschool program we helped these two students master problems in classes that they did not perform as well. Currently, we have seven afterschool program participants who wish to go to college next year. Statement from one of the beneficiaries: «I am very grateful that this type of afterschool program exists in our orpahange where we can receive help with our school work, especially to students who wish to enter university. Without your help, I would not be able to cope with all the materials that I have in school and I'm very grateful for that»

Creative workshops , theater workshops and basic programming
During this reporting period, we have organized creative workshops and basic programming, as well as creative drama workshops conducted by three volunteers. The orphanage lacks extracurricular activities; therefore our goals through this program is to fill up their time with constructive activities and workshops. When we started with drama workshops, we received a large response from beneficiaries, especially in regards to basics of acting. Thirty five beneficiaries were interested right a way in this workshop. A large number of them were shy to participate in acting classes but after few workshops they were able to relax and get really into it.

In january, we also launched a workshop on basics of programming. Our goal is to given the participants another opportunity to take advantage of their leisure time in a useful way. Basics of programming in its three months of existance has attracted 25 beneficiaries. Besides programing, the participants were also given an opportunity to take apart computers and service them.

Furthermore, every weekend in March, we have organized educational and creative workshos for children where each time we gathered around 50 participants. They had the opportunity to draw and express their creative abilities and to work on their decoupage techniques. An extra bonus with this creative workshop was that the participants made a variety of pendants that they were able to sell for allowance.

Entertainment, and events for the holidays

To celebarte March 1 – BIH Independence day, we organized a fun filled yet commemorative day for the children from the orphanage. We organized a social gathering, education quiz aimed to teach the participants more about their homeland. The event we put together lasted for over five hours. Through our program, we also celebrated Easter. First, we painted about 100 eggs at the creative workshop, all part of the After school program. On the first day of Easter, the eggs were divided and then we organized a competition with the Easter eggs.

Successes in these months:

A large number of high school students who are now seniors and who have regularly attend our afterschool program have decided to enroll in college next year.

• Great interest of children for completing their homework and learning.

• Participants utilized their free time in a useful way, through creative workshops.

•Great response to the basics of programming and very quickly learning new materials.

• Launched awareness to learning about programming and made the first stand-alone application.

• Participants acquired the competence to make their own handcrafts and then had to learn to convince clients to purchase their products through convincing presentations.   

The plan for the following months:

• Instructional, afterschool classes to help with homework

• Preparation of beneficiaries who are seniors in high school to enter universities

• Organizing a celebration for high school graduates

• Training beneficiaries to provide means for themselves by producing various handcrafts.

• Education and empowerment of children from orphanage

• Creative workshops, quizzes, games and competitions.