For the Children On Their Own

Radio B92

15 February 2006

Several parents of children with special needs established a daycare centre for children with impaired development.

Five families, wanting to provide something more for their children than sitting at home and visits to the therapists, decided to open a daycare centre of their own. They rented an appartment in downtown Belgrade and share the costs, but nonetheless, admit that they need some assistance and support.

The families with children with special needs live mostly in isolation and feel excluded from the society. Many people have been in situation to see other parents take away their children in game parks if a different child comes to play, and were even ostracized by the friends and relatives.

One mother says that her son Luka, 4 years of age, has received therapy in both private and state institutions.

"He had no chance to play with his peers, apart from our own home. Then, together with four other pairs, we got the idea to rent an appartment, create a small family centre that will offer the children a place to play, get socialized, meet friends who have similar problems�, she says.

Another mother says that her daughter is elated to have a kindergarten of her own, while one father points out that it was extremely difficult to find an appartment to rent.

"Finding a place was difficult, having in mind the reserves towards children with special needs that many people have. When told about our plans, they would say that they�d rather take two students. Finally, we found a person that understood us and rented us an appartment in the centre of the city�, he says.

Snezana Bogicevic, President of the Parents Association, says that the next step would be to properly equip the space.

"We received the carpeting, phone and fax lines, the tobogan and plastic tables and chairs from the People�s Office of the President of Serbia. We need much more, however, from toys to experts help�, says Bogicevic.

The parents founded the Right to Laughter Association. In the space they rent for 350 EUR monthly, they provide a variety of therapies and stimulate the development of children younger than 10 years of age.

The citizens are invited to make congtribution to the Dinar Account No. 265-1010310000016-63 or currency account 265527767. The association can be contacted at 011 26 57 444, 065 846 24 24 and 063 77 34 995.