Let's Help Syrian Refugee Children in Serbia Now!

Sisters Asja and Jasmin, from Syria, went back to school after a year spent on different roads from their hometown to Belgrade in December last year.Classmates welcomed their first day at Scholl with flowers and drawings. Boys and girls showed them a school, school yard and offered help in learning. Finally little Syrian refugee girls were with their peers again, among cheerful children.

 For a nine-year Asja and eight-year Jasmine, the first day at the second grade in school was the first day of joy and peace of mind after months’ long, heavy road from Syria which they undertook with their parents. The family wanted to reach the Germany, but they were stopped at the Croatian and forced back to Serbia. They are settled now in a refugee camp in Krnjaca.

 “They are nice girls. After two months at school, they have already learnt a lot of words in Serbian. They are running around with their classmates. The girls are cheerful, very curious and have a lot of questions for the teacher. They are completely adjusted to the school and we see the joy on their faces, Gordana, school secretary has told us.

 “In Krnjaca refugee camp, there are around a eleven hundred people. Half of them are children. They are mainly with families here, we also have more than sixty children who are alone. They fled various countries in Middle East - Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan, and Somalia. Since the borders to EU have been closed for them, they have been here, in Krnjaca, for a long time now. It is not certain how long they will stay; probably they will not be able to leave soon. Therefore, the organization of everyday life, especially for children, is now much more demanding”, says Diane, Coordinator in the refugee camp.

 In addition to schooling, the Camp in Krnjaca organizes various workshops and courses – English language, different crafts, mainly for the older boys, as well as daily sports activities. In addition to  Asja and  Jasmine, twenty five other children also go to the elementary school in Zemun, Belgrade suburb at the other part of town.

 “Every morning, volunteers accompany children on their way to school by school buses and wait for them to return to the camp”, says Coordinator Diane.

 Refugee camp in  Krnjaca and these children welcome any assistance: clothing and footwear, backpacks for school, the purchase of materials for the workshops.

 Thanks to YOUR donations, Pomoc deci provides hygiene products and clothes: jackets, sweatshirts, underwear, socks and shoes. We also take toys for the youngest children and we acquire the material needed for drawing and painting workshops. We organize expert volunteers to work with refugee children as well.

 We warmly appreciate any help. Please donate whatever you can and help us help as many refugee children as possible! Until March 21^st, all your donations will be matched by 50% from GlobalGiving Foundation!

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Hassan A. has recently got a baby brother. It was huge news in the life of this fourteen-year-old refugee boy. For months now, he has been at the Institute for Children without Parental Care in Belgrade, waiting to join his family who remained in Turkey.

When after a long journey from Middle East, Hassan’s family arrived to Turkey, his parents could not continue farther. His mother was pregnant and she could not go on any more. Hassan was sent on with the family friends. He arrived to Serbia, but since he was an unaccompanied minor he was sheltered at the Institute.

This refuge boy expected his parents to join him soon to continue to Western Europe together. Meanwhile, EU countries decided to drastically limit the entry of refugees to EU, and Hassan and his family were stuck separated in two countries.

When we first met him he was sad and lonely, did not have anyone to speak with in his own language. Every day he sadly looked at other boys who as unaccompanied minors stayed at the Institute for Children without Parental Care for a week or two before moving on and being joined with their families.

He wanted to go back to Turkey, but the family told him to wait for them, hoping that they would soon get to Serbia, too. The time went on. It became a bit easier when he could make telephone contact with parents. Hassan got somewhat used to the situation and began learning Serbian and English. He continued his education in the new conditions. Teachers at the Institute say that he will be reunited with his family, probably, early next year.

Pomoc deci has organized workshops as part of psychosocial assistance for refugee children and Hassan is regularly attending them. On regular basis, our organization provides him and other children with the necessities - primarily clothes, jackets, sweatshirts, underwear, socks and shoes. Every time we bring sweets and other things for a little fun – table tennis equipment, badminton sets or toys and drawing pens, blocks or color pens, a broad smile and a hug great us from Hassan and his new friends.

According to the official data, about 10,000 refugees are currently in Serbia. Refugee camps are crowded. Many of the refugee children are with their parents in the streets and parks. Due to the cold weather, their needs are growing, they are increasingly vulnerable, especially children. More and more refugees remain in Serbia, whilst new ones are entering the country every day.

We need your help to be able to help these children keep healthy, both physically and mentally!

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