The “Rada Vranješević” Home for Children in Need in Banja Luka once again became a space where children’s imagination and awareness of important social issues came together.
Through participation in a creative workshop marking Orange Day – Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Girls, children had the opportunity to express their creativity through art and send messages of support, while also learning about the seriousness of violence and the importance of supporting victims.
The workshop was led by Mia Selena Lerch, a participant in the nineteenth cohort of the “Learn, Think and Act!” training for youth leaders conducted by the Institute for Youth Development KULT. Her idea and implementation of this activity, with the Institute’s support, was another step forward in creating a better and safer society for all of us.
Eleven school-age children attended the workshop. During the first part, children wrote messages they placed on an orange board that remained in the Home as a symbol of shared learning and a reminder of the workshop. The messages talked about what violence is, how to recognize it, and why it’s not okay to stay silent about it.
In the second part of the workshop, children drew and wrote messages of support to women and girls who are victims of violence. At the end of the activity, the messages and drawings were attached to orange balloons and released as a symbol of hope and support.
“I believe that even small messages, written by children’s hands, can be full of courage that adults sometimes forget. Through this workshop, we showed that children also understand what violence is and that they want to live in a world where everyone feels safe and respected,” said Mia Selena Lerch.
The workshop combined learning, creativity, and empathy, once again showing that we fight violence through knowledge, open dialogue, and the support we provide to one another.
