HRH Crown Princess Katherine, together with benefactors and Board Members from Lifeline Humanitarian Organization of Chicago, visited The Jovan Jovanovic Zmaj Home for Children in Belgrade, Serbia, yesterday to officially open the newly refurbished rooms and to deliver new furniture, as another successful humanitarian project was completed in aid of this institution.
This project included the complete renovations of rooms to create new learning centers for art, music, and crafts, which is very important for the emotional and social well-being of children. As experts agree, art engages the senses and supports the development of cognitive, social, emotional, and multisensory skills of children. As children progress into elementary school and beyond, art promotes opportunities for intellectual development, self-esteem, and creativity.
This aid is the result of the tremendous efforts and continued support for this institution by The Crown Princess Katherine Foundation, The Nelson Family Charitable Foundation, and by Lifeline Humanitarian Organization of Chicago. The opening was really special due to the fact that Her Royal Highness was joined by board members, donors, and supporters who are in Serbia for Lifeline Chicago’s traditional Mission Trip.
These most recent refurbishments to this home include the complete renovations of three rooms which are utilized by the children for the development of various artistic abilities. One room is designated for the children to engage in creating clay sculptures and figurines, the second is dedicated to musical activities, and the third room is utilized for various additional artistic endeavours.
In addition to construction work, which included the replacement of all doors, the plastering, and painting of the walls, new lighting and flooring, brand new furniture was also delivered, including cabinets, various tables, chairs, and all else needed to make this a warm and pleasant learning environment.
This home is part of the Zvecanska Center for the Protection of Infants, Children, and Young People which assists children without parental care and children with developmental disabilities.
“I am very grateful to our dear friends who participated and tremendously helped this project and thus enabled the children to have better conditions in this Home. I am so touched and thankful to you for so generously supporting our joint vision and dedication to providing for children and making their childhood better and as carefree as possible. I am very happy to see that we are united in the idea that such projects are being realized and that we can help children who need help.
The history of the humanitarian cooperation of my Foundation and the Centre for the Protection of Infants, Children, and Youth Zvecanska and its departments is long and filled with care and love for our children. Children are the future of our country, and that future is beautiful and bright. We will continue doing everything we can to give them a better childhood,” said HRH Crown Princess Katherine.
Mr. Stefan Lukic, Director of the Jovan Jovanovic Zmaj Home for Children, expressed his gratitude to HRH Crown Princess Katherine, Lifeline Humanitarian Organization of Chicago, and The Nelson Family Charitable Foundation: “I have to say that children and employees are very happy and thankful, and I am sending their great impressions. These renovations mean a lot to us since those rooms were very old. Now we have opportunities to use them in a full capacity, and we can do a lot of creative activities, which mean to children so much.”