Child Friendly Space opened in Brcko

Dozens of children from areas affected by the floods in Brcko District are now able to spend their time in a Child Friendly Space that was officially inaugurated yesterday in Brcko. This Child Friendly Space is opened by Save the Children and Youth Centre Vermont, with the support of UNICEF.

Child Friendly spaces are a way of direct work with children that Save the Children implements around the world, whenever a crisis arises and when there is a need to urgently provide a safe space where children can be sheltered and safe of risks to their psychological and physical health and safety. So far in Bosnia and Herzegovina eight Child Friendly Spaces were opened, while four new ones will be open in locations affected by the floods.

"Child Friendly Spaces make the process of return to their homes easier for parents and legal guardians of the children, as it gives them the opportunity to trust their children to qualified staff who organize creative, educational and sports activities for children, in a controlled and safe environment. The activities will be held until the beginning of the new school year. Parents and legal guardians can therefore dedicate their time to livelihood issues such as cleaning of the houses or finding sources of income,“ explains Ljiljana Sinickovic, Program Implementation Specialist.

The Mayor of Brcko District, Mr. Anto Domic attended the inauguration of the Child Friendly Space, and on this occasion he stated the following: “This is an excellent idea, the project is meaningful, educational and well designed, so it is worth supporting. I believe that in such way it is possible to enable development of children and that those who attend a child friendly space will surely end up with less stress.”

Damir Radenkovic from the Youth Centre Vermont emphasized that a child friendly space has also an educational purpose, and it is not just meant as an entertainment. “All activities we do have psychological, social and educational character, so, in addition to entertainment, children can learn something here. Direct beneficiaries of this Child Friendly space will be the 136 children from the flooded areas, while 71 families will benefit from this at multiple levels.”

Qualified staff will work in all Child Friendly Spaces, organizing creative, educational and sports activities, until the beginning of the new school year.