HUMANITARIANS BRING HOLIDAY JOY TO CHILDREN ACROSS THE COUNTRY

December is a month of giving, kindness and solidarity, when citizens throughout Republika Srpska and Bosnia and Herzegovina join forces to brighten the holidays for those who need support the most. This spirit of unity is best reflected in the fact that wishes written by children on the platform “Budi i ti Djeda Mraz” were fulfilled in less than 48 hours.

Guided by the holiday spirit, individuals, foundations and students have come together to make the dreams of children from shelters, safe houses and socially vulnerable families come true — bringing smiles back to their faces.

Among many initiatives, strong public support has been given to the campaign organized by the International Federation of Medical Students’ Associations of Republika Srpska (SaMSIC). Their volunteers have been collecting holiday packages at multiple locations in Banja Luka, with the help of students, citizens and institutions.

SaMSIC National President Milan Bokan told Glas that, due to overwhelming public interest, the campaign “Be Human, Make a Child Happy” has been extended until St. Nicholas Day. Donation boxes are being set up across the city.

“Boxes will be placed at the University of Banja Luka, lecture halls and faculties, the student campus, as well as the University Clinical Center. Both students and citizens of good will can leave their contributions,” Bokan said.

He added that they are ready to receive all types of donations.

STRONG SUPPORT FROM THE GOVERNMENT

“We received tremendous support from the Government of Republika Srpska, as well as socially responsible companies,” Bokan noted. He expressed satisfaction with the response so far and confidence that the extended campaign would bring even better results.

The distribution of packages is planned between December 16 and 19, and the final number depends solely on donations collected.

“Last year, when this initiative was still a pilot project, we collected 115 packages and delivered them to seven or eight addresses — mostly to associations working with children with developmental difficulties, children with disabilities, and safe house beneficiaries,” Bokan said.

A well-known Banja Luka humanitarian — who has for years donned a Santa Claus costume to bring joy to children, and who launched the “Budi i ti Djeda Mraz” campaign three years ago — said that 872 wishes were fulfilled this year in less than 48 hours.

“I’m happy that people recognized the power of selfless giving. A total of 325 children will receive exactly what they dreamed of,” he said, choosing to remain anonymous.

According to him, nearly 90% of wishes were fulfilled within the first seven hours.

Individuals from BiH and abroad — Germany, Austria, the USA, the UK, Switzerland — along with numerous companies, signed up through the website to participate in the initiative.

A DECADE OF TRADITION

Among the many humanitarians who collect holiday packages every year is Duško Tadić from Banja Luka, who has been spreading joy for almost a decade.

He aims to distribute 5,000 packages this year. Thanks to generous donors, he has already collected around 1,000 and expects to reach his goal soon.

The director of the “Rada Vranješević” Children’s Home in Banja Luka, Darijana Kecman, expressed gratitude to all who supported the “Budi i ti Djeda Mraz” campaign and helped fulfill the wishes of their beneficiaries.

“This year we registered 78 children, and their wishes vary widely. With the help of educators, children write down their wishes — from toys, smart watches and headphones to items they need but couldn’t receive in standard holiday packages,” Kecman said.

Fifteen children from the “Laila” Foundation in Brčko District are also eagerly awaiting their gifts — asking for hoodies, coloring books, sweets and even makeup.

“These initiatives mean a lot to our children. They give them a sense of belonging, love and support. They tell them that they are seen, valued and important. Like all children, ours look forward to Santa Claus and gifts. We always try to organize an event where Santa personally delivers the presents — that moment of joy and the feeling that someone listened to their wishes means everything, especially to a child,” said the foundation’s psychologist Sabina Ahmičić-Gušo.

Ten children, aged two to 18, from the “Lara” Foundation in Bijeljina are also waiting excitedly for their New Year’s presents.

“Most of them wish for a phone, but there are also requests for toys or hair accessories. One girl in third grade said her biggest wish is to see her family,” the foundation reported.

SANTA ARRIVES BY HELICOPTER

The Banja Luka Santa Claus said that, for the third year in a row, he has been working with the Helicopter Service of Republika Srpska to deliver gifts to children in remote rural areas.

“We choose distant and hard-to-reach places such as Oštra Luka and East Kupres. For the children, it’s an unforgettable moment when Santa arrives by helicopter and comes down to them with a package full of toys and sweets,” he said.

He added that they try — as much as possible — to bring joy to children for whom this time of year should be the happiest, but sadly isn’t always so.

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