Young people from Čitluk showed how one idea, with the right support, can bring fresh energy to an entire community. Through the initiative “Breathe Life”, implemented in cooperation with the Brotnjo Youth Association BRUM and supported by the Institute for Youth Development KULT, students of Dr. fra Slavko Barbarić High School worked together with beneficiaries of the St. Joseph the Worker Education and Rehabilitation Centre on activities that promote healthy habits, creativity and caring for others.
Over the past months, the young participants cooked and learned about healthy nutrition, learned traditional dances, acted and used art to share powerful life messages, made soap, gave new life to old items, and learned basic first aid. Each workshop carried the spirit of the project in its own way, giving the young people and their community a boost of new energy. Their message was clear: life is to be lived fully; sometimes you need to start over; and every person carries within themselves something special that deserves to be nurtured.
Students were involved in the process from day one. They learned how to plan, organise, take responsibility and handle unexpected situations. Sometimes they agreed, sometimes they challenged each other, but they never gave up. Their voices, ideas and effort became a recognisable driver of positive change and a call for a healthier, happier environment.
The highlight of the initiative was the final event, which brought together all participants and showed how much the young people had grown. The play “Metamorphosis of a Butterfly”, carrying a strong message about diversity and equality, moved many and brought up important questions for the whole community. The items the youth restored now serve a new purpose, and the first-aid skills gained will stay with participants for life.
The initiative’s leader, Ivona Soldo, says the Training for Secondary School Teachers and Support Staff organised by the Institute for Youth Development KULT was a crucial turning point: the lectures, knowledge and exchange with colleagues strengthened her both professionally and personally.
“I learned how much space I still have to grow, and how important it is to stand up for yourself and for others. It wasn’t always easy, but when I look at what we created, every moment was worth it. Our group drew smiles, set shared directions, and showed what a community we want to live in can look like,” she said.
The impact of the project is visible even now. Young people proudly talk about the activities they completed, encourage their peers to join new initiatives, and continue building an environment that values care, creativity and solidarity.
At the end, the leader of the initiative offered a message of encouragement to young people: they should be a light on someone’s path.
“Walk bravely toward your goals. At times it may feel like you’re standing still, but trust that effort and persistence always pay off. The achievements that enrich you at the end of the journey matter immensely. You cannot know what you’re capable of unless you try. Stay committed to your intentions,” Soldo said.
Learn, Think and Act! (UMiD) is a three-month training program implemented by the Institute for Youth Development KULT. The program consists of three modules and ten units designed to help young people become active members of society and leaders in their communities. The nineteenth cohort of UMiD in 2025 included ten young participants from ten different communities across BiH.
