The HRH Crown Princess Katherine Foundation and Lifeline Humanitarian Organization of Chicago, which is under the patronage of Her Royal Highness, continue their support of the Ivo Lola Ribar School for Elementary and High School Education in Kraljevo, Serbia, which specifically focuses on the education of students with intellectual disabilities.
This generous donation of the building of a brand new playground for the students to advance their motor skills was made possible by The Mihajlovich Family, long-time supporters of Lifeline Chicago, in memory of the late Mr. Nikodije “Beli” Mihajlovich. It should also be mentioned that this family also previously assisted the school by completely refurbishing and renovating the school’s bathrooms and, thus, ensuring that the bathrooms can be accessed by individuals with disabilities.
The Nikodije “Beli” Mihajlovich Playground was created and equipped with brand new: rubber mats, swing sets, an outdoor playhouse with benches, two additional outdoor benches, four trash receptacles, and a new fence on the front and on the left side of the playground (separating it from the rest of the schoolyard).
Motor skills are crucial for early childhood development as they serve as the foundation for a child’s physical interactions and overall behavioural development. Fine motor skills involve the use of one’s hands and fingers to control small objects, while gross motor skills involve the use of the large muscles in one’s body to make large movements. Fine and gross motor skills play a significant role in shaping a child’s ability to perform daily activities and to participate in various physical exercises. These types of donations are very important for children, and especially so for children with disabilities, to work on the improvement of their motor skills.
“I am very happy that with this donation we gave children the opportunity to have a more beautiful and safe space for them to play, but more importantly, to develop. Thanks to Lifeline Chicago, the Mihajlovich Family, and my Foundation in Belgrade, the pupils of this school know that we always think of them. Our children deserve every possible support, and we are always here to share our love for them, same as the children of Ivo Lola School share their unconditional love with us each time we visit them” said HRH Crown Princess Katherine.
The Director of Ivo Lola Ribar School, Mrs. Biljana Mandić Dimitrijević, on this occasion stated: “”The beautiful playground that our school received as a gift testifies to the great desire of the Mihajlovich family to enable children with developmental disabilities to spend time relaxing and playing in a completely safe environment. For schools like ours, a school for children with developmental disabilities, playgrounds like this are extremely important because they improve the general health of our students and the time spent at school, for most of them, is the only time they spend outside of their home. Therefore, we owe sincere thanks to the Mihajlovich family, the Humanitarian organization Lifeline from Chicago and HRH Crown Princess Katherine for this significant donation.”