BOSNIA GLOBAL GRANT

  

 





February 4, 2015

From Ada Pehlic

School for Roma girls is running in accordance with the schedule, the girls and teachers are happy with the progress. Distribution of informative materials has already started, however, they are not working this week as it is raining cats and dogs.So far, 5 WS (work shops) were held (one of them for Roma families) and the rest are being organized. Two more will be held next week.Mentors have started with their activities and they will submit info on the activities by the end of February. The only problem with mentoring is that we do not have as many Croat girls as Bosniac ones. The reason is that the schools and centers for social welfare could not identify many at-risk girls, and those families who could participate in the program have already left or are planning to leave Bosnia and go to Germany, Sweden, Norway where they could stay due to their Croatian citizenship. Last year 68.000 people left the country, in majority of the cases entire families left

January 31, 2015

From Ada Pehlic:

Since October 30, 2013 to  June 30, 2014 “Novi put” established contacts  and held meetings  with the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of Herzegovina-Neretva Canton (HNC), two Universities of Mostar, Roma Coordinator for  HNC, OSCE (civil side of NATO), 5 Centers for Social Welfare, SOS Family Center for vulnerable categories. During that period “Novi put” carried out mapping of Roma Settlements in the area of HNC (Canton Neretva) and identified Roma Girls to participate in the literacy courses, selected premises for the literacy course, started identification of at-risk families and selection of suitable candidates for the mentoring program. During the reporting period “Novi put” had meetings with Rotary Clubs participating in the GG form the US and Mostar resulting in approximatly 352 volunteer hours. Perhapse it was even more, because we did not keep a track of total time spent on the project prior to its launching.

December 10, 2014

From Ada Pehlic, President of Novi Put

"I told you that the nation TV BHT1 interviewed Edisa (she i our PR) two weeks ago, I am still waiting for the link to send it to you. Since we had a great discussio with the beforehand they decided to make a featured story about the RI Project today on the occasion of the Internatioal day of human rights. They first came to school for Roma girls today and they were really impressed with the progress and the enthusiasm of both Novi Put staff and the girls. Every week we organize something special for them, like e.g. learning English with UWC (United World Colleges..Mostar) volunteers, and today we asked a girl who plays violin to perform for them as they love music and dance. The journalist iterviewed me and the teacher and then later Edisa was a guest in the live broadcast today.  It is a very big deal and something special to be on the natioal T 2 times i two weeks time, but on the other hand, this is a very good project, soethig new for Mostar and the area. The parents of the Roma girls attending the school have started realizing that they are not condemned to be uneducated, to spend their lives living in sheds without any facilities that are normal for all other people. They started thinking outside the box and started believing that their kids could really make it!"  TV interview: 15th minute in follows.

http://www.bhrt.ba/bht1-emisije/bih-danas/bih-danas-10-12-2014/

 

    

November 26, 2014

Novi Put developed printed material to promote rural girls staying in school and to encourage their parents to keep them in school.  This was funded by our Rotary Bosnia Global Grant.  There are calendars and brochures and name tag  stickers for parents and girls.  These will be handed out at meetings and workshops and to students  and to the public in farmer markets.  Note the credit on the brochures to Rotary International, District 5450, and each of the 11 Rotary Clubs who contributed to the matching. 

November 22, 2014: Ada Pehlich reports mainstream Bosnian newspaper has a two page feature story about human trafficking, Novi Put, and the Rotary grant.  In the upper right hand corner of the story in the black box is the story about the Roma literacy education project and financing by Rotary International.  Picture of the article is in the photo and press page.



November 19, 2014: From Novi Put President Ada Pehlich: "We have all the mentors now, even more than 20 applied." The mentors, volunteer student interns from the University of Mostar, have begun training and will begin mentoring 80 families this month.  

 Oct 30, 2014:  Mostar Rotary and Novi Put sign formal contract.  Mostar Rotary names

Selma Tule as their grant administrator.  Novi Put had begun execution of the grant project in September, first beginning the literacy school for Roma girls and will now begin scheduling and training university interns to mentor families with girls at risk of not continuing their education. Volunteers from United World Colleges Mostar will begin teaching English to Roma girls next week, as well.  http://www.uwc.org/uwc_education/our_schools_and_colleges/uwc_in_mostar/default.aspx

 NGO Novi Put President Ada Pehlich November 17, 2014:  University interns are being trained and will begin mentoring famlies starting third week in November. 

 

From the NGO Novi Put President Ada Pehlich, today (via whasap text October 24, 2014) : "Hi, the school for Roma girls started. They are really excited. I will send you some photos as soon as we download. We also contacted Caritas, Red Cross in order to get some stuff for the families. Hopefully it will work. They really live in miserable conditions, but when they came to school, they were all clean, dressed up." ( 15 Roma girls, the grant goal, are participating. Mostar Rotary club has hired a grant administrator, Selma Tule.)  Ada continues: "They are really excited. Apparently the inclusion of Roma kids into the education system has not been so successful. The elders said that Roma kids were harassed by other kids, an even the parents did not want their kids together in a same class with Roma kids."

From Felicia Muftic: "My  observation: When we began working on the grant, the Bosnian canton Neretva  Department of Education thought we would be lucky to get 15 Roma schools into a literacy program.  Common wisdom was that the Roma community did not approve of girls being educated.  This sheds a whole new perspective on the situation and gives me a great deal of optimism that not only will our grant goals be met, but that this approach may lead to funding of many other such programs and projects. " Felicia Muftic   



On Fri, Oct 17, 2014 at 1:51 PM, FELICIA MUFTIC <feliciamuftic@yahoo.com> wrote:

By Ada Pehlic, President of Novi Put (New Road): Oct. 17, 2014

(Some explanations: BH, BiH: Bosnia and Herzegovina...formal names and abbreviations for Bosnia; THB: Human trafficking issue; US SD TiPS  is the 2014 US State Department report of Trafficking of Persons; "our joint project" refers to our Rotary Global Grant).  For most recent update of the power point , including a visit to a Roma settlement with a picture, visit the page in the site with the link. . There is an explanation in the pdf  of the Tips report that included and reference to tier categories.. There is also a page with possible future grants and projects suggested, though I believe we should see how our strategies work this year.  I am encouraged about the reception in the Roma settlement and hope it indicates we have a chance for success in this most difficult, but needed part of the grant.   As pictures and newspaper coverage become available, I will post them  and translate into English where we can.)

 

From Ada Pehlic Oct 2014:

"I just got back home from the central square where we had a campaign marking the European anti-trafficking day. It was really a great success and it attracted the media form all over the country. We were giving interviewees by phone since early morning for BH Radio, Federal Radio, Federal News Agency, many TV crews were at the site like the national TV BHT1, TV1, mainstream newspapers....

Since the B&H Ministry of Security who coordinated the campaign got focused on forced begging we used the opportunity to inform the media about our joint project. 
My colleagues have been sharing the media articles in our fb group and fb page and we will send the list of links next week, as well as copies of newspapers articles and photos.

Also a two-page interview about the project highlighting the education of Roma girls was published on the same day when the preliminary results of the general elections were published and when the circulation was 500% higher than usual. 

Students from the United World Colleges Mostar expressed a wish to participate in the activities envisaged for Roma girls as our volunteers.

As you know the situation in B&H is very complex, the nationalist parties won the recent elections like in 1991 when the war broke out, and there are still lot of tensions in the entire region making fertile ground for traffickers who make promises about well paid jobs abroad. Fake job advertisements have been mushrooming in the area of Herzegovina and we are doing our best to raise awareness about the THB. Besides Ukraine we are the only European country on the Watch List in the US SD TiP report  as our government did not show progress in convicting trafficking offenders or identifying and protecting trafficking victims.  And without some massive changes I am afraid we will be downgraded to Tier 3. "

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

September 5, 2014

 

Denver Rotarians Felicia and Mike Muftic (bottom row on the left) are shown with members of the Mostar, Bosnia Rotary Club and other District 5450 Rotarians at the kick-off dinner for the Rotary International Global Grant to promote basic education and literacy for rural girls in Bosnia. Keeping girls in school has the added benefit of reducing the number of girls who are at risk of becoming victims of human trafficking. The grant of $47,275 will employ workshops, campaign-style outreach, and mentoring programs to promote gender equality and basic education. The lead Club and the single largest contributor is the World Community Service Committee of the Rotary Club of Denver with a grant of $4,000, with other Clubs in the District donating $16,850, District 5450 matching these funds with $10,000, and The Rotary (International) Foundation contributing $18,425. The World Community Service Committee is working with a grant of $38,000 from our Denver Rotary Club Foundation during the current year. To learn more and to get involved, please contact the Committee Chair, Mary Penny. "I did then what I knew how to do. Now that I know better, I do better.” - Maya Angelou Photo courtesy of The Muftics

From: Abida Pehlic <abida_pehlic@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Sat, Nov 22, 2014 at 1:39 PM
Subject: Newspaper article on Novi put and the project
To: Felicia Muftic <feliciamuftic@gmail.com>

From: Abida Pehlic <abida_pehlic@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Sat, Nov 22, 2014 at 1:39 PM
Subject: Newspaper article on Novi put and the project
To: Felicia Muftic <feliciamuftic@gmail.com>

I told you that the national TV BHT1 interviewed Edisa (she is our PR) two weeks ago, I am still waiting for the link to send it to you.

Since we had a great discussion with them beforehand they decided to make a featured story about the RI Project today on the occasion of the International day of human rights.

They first came to school for Roma girls today and they were really impressed with the progress and the enthusiasm of both Novi put staff and the girls. Every week we organize something special for them, like e.g. learning English with UWC volunteers, and today we asked a girl who plays violin to perform for them as they love music and dance.

The journalist interviewed me and the teacher and then later Edisa was a guest in the live broadcast today. It is already on the internet:http://www.bhrt.ba/bht1-emisije/bih-danas/bih-danas-10-12-2014/ and we are on from the 15th minute. 

It is a very big deal and something special to be on the national TV 2 times in two weeks time, but on the other hand this is a very good project, something new for Mostar and the area. The parents of the Roma girls attending the school have started realizing that they are not condemned to be uneducated, to spend their lives living in sheds without any facilities which are something normal for all other people. They started thinking outside the box and started believing that their kids could really make it! 

I told you that the national TV BHT1 interviewed Edisa (she is our PR) two weeks ago, I am still waiting for the link to send it to you.

Since we had a great discussion with them beforehand they decided to make a featured story about the RI Project today on the occasion of the International day of human rights.

They first came to school for Roma girls today and they were really impressed with the progress and the enthusiasm of both Novi put staff and the girls. Every week we organize something special for them, like e.g. learning English with UWC volunteers, and today we asked a girl who plays violin to perform for them as they love music and dance.

The journalist interviewed me and the teacher and then later Edisa was a guest in the live broadcast today. It is already on the internet:http://www.bhrt.ba/bht1-emisije/bih-danas/bih-danas-10-12-2014/ and we are on from the 15th minute. 

It is a very big deal and something special to be on the national TV 2 times in two weeks time, but on the other hand this is a very good project, something new for Mostar and the area. The parents of the Roma girls attending the school have started realizing that they are not condemned to be uneducated, to spend their lives living in sheds without any facilities which are something normal for all other people. They started thinking outside the box and started believing that their kids could really make it! 

I told you that the national TV BHT1 interviewed Edisa (she is our PR) two weeks ago, I am still waiting for the link to send it to you.

Since we had a great discussion with them beforehand they decided to make a featured story about the RI Project today on the occasion of the International day of human rights.

They first came to school for Roma girls today and they were really impressed with the progress and the enthusiasm of both Novi put staff and the girls. Every week we organize something special for them, like e.g. learning English with UWC volunteers, and today we asked a girl who plays violin to perform for them as they love music and dance.

The journalist interviewed me and the teacher and then later Edisa was a guest in the live broadcast today. It is already on the internet:http://www.bhrt.ba/bht1-emisije/bih-danas/bih-danas-10-12-2014/ and we are on from the 15th minute. 

It is a very big deal and something special to be on the national TV 2 times in two weeks time, but on the other hand this is a very good project, something new for Mostar and the area. The parents of the Roma girls attending the school have started realizing that they are not condemned to be uneducated, to spend their lives living in sheds without any facilities which are something normal for all other people. They started thinking outside the box and started believing that their kids could really make it! 

I told you that the national TV BHT1 interviewed Edisa (she is our PR) two weeks ago, I am still waiting for the link to send it to you.

Since we had a great discussion with them beforehand they decided to make a featured story about the RI Project today on the occasion of the International day of human rights.

They first came to school for Roma girls today and they were really impressed with the progress and the enthusiasm of both Novi put staff and the girls. Every week we organize something special for them, like e.g. learning English with UWC volunteers, and today we asked a girl who plays violin to perform for them as they love music and dance.

The journalist interviewed me and the teacher and then later Edisa was a guest in the live broadcast today. It is already on the internet:http://www.bhrt.ba/bht1-emisije/bih-danas/bih-danas-10-12-2014/ and we are on from the 15th minute. 

It is a very big deal and something special to be on the national TV 2 times in two weeks time, but on the other hand this is a very good project, something new for Mostar and the area. The parents of the Roma girls attending the school have started realizing that they are not condemned to be uneducated, to spend their lives living in sheds without any facilities which are something normal for all other people. They started thinking outside the box and started believing that their kids could really make it! 

I told you that the national TV BHT1 interviewed Edisa (she is our PR) two weeks ago, I am still waiting for the link to send it to you.

Since we had a great discussion with them beforehand they decided to make a featured story about the RI Project today on the occasion of the International day of human rights.

They first came to school for Roma girls today and they were really impressed with the progress and the enthusiasm of both Novi put staff and the girls. Every week we organize something special for them, like e.g. learning English with UWC volunteers, and today we asked a girl who plays violin to perform for them as they love music and dance.

The journalist interviewed me and the teacher and then later Edisa was a guest in the live broadcast today. It is already on the internet:http://www.bhrt.ba/bht1-emisije/bih-danas/bih-danas-10-12-2014/ and we are on from the 15th minute. 

It is a very big deal and something special to be on the national TV 2 times in two weeks time, but on the other hand this is a very good project, something new for Mostar and the area. The parents of the Roma girls attending the school have started realizing that they are not condemned to be uneducated, to spend their lives living in sheds without any facilities which are something normal for all other people. They started thinking outside the box and started believing that their kids could really make it! 

I told you that the national TV BHT1 interviewed Edisa (she is our PR) two weeks ago, I am still waiting for the link to send it to you.

Since we had a great discussion with them beforehand they decided to make a featured story about the RI Project today on the occasion of the International day of human rights.

They first came to school for Roma girls today and they were really impressed with the progress and the enthusiasm of both Novi put staff and the girls. Every week we organize something special for them, like e.g. learning English with UWC volunteers, and today we asked a girl who plays violin to perform for them as they love music and dance.

The journalist interviewed me and the teacher and then later Edisa was a guest in the live broadcast today. It is already on the internet:http://www.bhrt.ba/bht1-emisije/bih-danas/bih-danas-10-12-2014/ and we are on from the 15th minute. 

It is a very big deal and something special to be on the national TV 2 times in two weeks time, but on the other hand this is a very good project, something new for Mostar and the area. The parents of the Roma girls attending the school have started realizing that they are not condemned to be uneducated, to spend their lives living in sheds without any facilities which are something normal for all other people. They started thinking outside the box and started believing that their kids could really make it! 

I told you that the national TV BHT1 interviewed Edisa (she is our PR) two weeks ago, I am still waiting for the link to send it to you.

Since we had a great discussion with them beforehand they decided to make a featured story about the RI Project today on the occasion of the International day of human rights.

They first came to school for Roma girls today and they were really impressed with the progress and the enthusiasm of both Novi put staff and the girls. Every week we organize something special for them, like e.g. learning English with UWC volunteers, and today we asked a girl who plays violin to perform for them as they love music and dance.

The journalist interviewed me and the teacher and then later Edisa was a guest in the live broadcast today.

It is a very big deal and something special to be on the national TV 2 times in two weeks time, but on the other hand this is a very good project, something new for Mostar and the area. The parents of the Roma girls attending the school have started realizing that they are not condemned to be uneducated, to spend their lives living in sheds without any facilities which are something normal for all other people. They started thinking outside the box and started believing that their kids could really make it! 

I want to update you about the Project implementation and to share some great news with you.

The school for Roma is going excellent, there are even more girls who would like to attend the school. Due to the additional efforts invested by the teachers it has become a very popular activity among Roma girls. I had a meeting with the OSCE Officer who is a focal point for Roma in the Herzegovina Region and she was really happy and pleased to hear about the school for Roma Girls and especially about the success.

The lectures also attract lot of attention, as the general situation in the country is getting worse (sometimes I think we all live a nightmare here). For example Edisa and Alma had to repeat a WS in one place as the first one triggered interest of the local community and more people wanted to meet with us and to discuss the Project activities. Apparently there is a teenage girl from that area who used to be an A pupil in the primary school but when she started the secondary school she found bed company and has become prostitute! Many parents from that area asked Novi put to also include their daughters in the Mentoring Program even though they are not to be considered as “at-risk-families” as they have been afraid that their daughters might end up in the same way (apparently that girl has been going around wearing expensive cloths and telling other girls that they would never be as cool as she if they devote themselves to school).

Given that the Mentoring program has got support of the Faculties, management of all schools  throughout the Canton, but most important parents, and since the girls are interested to take part in the activities we have decided (of course if it is ok with the RI) to expand the number of both students/mentors and girls. The expansion of the number participants in this activity would not require any additional funds, we have lot of informative materials and it would be pity if we would not seize the moment and use the interest and motivation of all project participants. There is no need for me to increase my efforts on the project. Besides that, all students/mentors have been more than willing and happy to commit themselves to the mentoring program for the period of 3 years

Since we have advertised the Project very well, an international NGO with a branch office approached Novi put. They were delighted about work and offered to give some humanitarian assistance for the families which are included in our project and which would need some food, clothes or similar. We have asked all mentors to prepare the lists of such families in cooperation with the school pedagogues in their catchment areas, so we could help some of those in need. 

We will have some more media coverage of the Project soon and I will update you on time. This is also very good as normally media do not like to report on NGOs that much, but we have accomplished a great deal already and of course they want to report on success stories. 

I want to update you about the Project implementation and to share some great news with you.

The school for Roma is going excellent, there are even more girls who would like to attend the school. Due to the additional efforts invested by the teachers it has become a very popular activity among Roma girls. I had a meeting with the OSCE Officer who is a focal point for Roma in the Herzegovina Region and she was really happy and pleased to hear about the school for Roma Girls and especially about the success.

The lectures also attract lot of attention, as the general situation in the country is getting worse (sometimes I think we all live a nightmare here). For example Edisa and Alma had to repeat a WS in one place as the first one triggered interest of the local community and more people wanted to meet with us and to discuss the Project activities. Apparently there is a teenage girl from that area who used to be an A pupil in the primary school but when she started the secondary school she found bed company and has become prostitute! Many parents from that area asked Novi put to also include their daughters in the Mentoring Program even though they are not to be considered as “at-risk-families” as they have been afraid that their daughters might end up in the same way (apparently that girl has been going around wearing expensive cloths and telling other girls that they would never be as cool as she if they devote themselves to school).

Given that the Mentoring program has got support of the Faculties, management of all schools  throughout the Canton, but most important parents, and since the girls are interested to take part in the activities we have decided (of course if it is ok with the RI) to expand the number of both students/mentors and girls. The expansion of the number participants in this activity would not require any additional funds, we have lot of informative materials and it would be pity if we would not seize the moment and use the interest and motivation of all project participants. There is no need for me to increase my efforts on the project. Besides that, all students/mentors have been more than willing and happy to commit themselves to the mentoring program for the period of 3 years

Since we have advertised the Project very well, an international NGO with a branch office approached Novi put. They were delighted about work and offered to give some humanitarian assistance for the families which are included in our project and which would need some food, clothes or similar. We have asked all mentors to prepare the lists of such families in cooperation with the school pedagogues in their catchment areas, so we could help some of those in need. 

We will have some more media coverage of the Project soon and I will update you on time. This is also very good as normally media do not like to report on NGOs that much, but we have accomplished a great deal already and of course they want to report on success stories. 

I want to update you about the Project implementation and to share some great news with you.

The school for Roma is going excellent, there are even more girls who would like to attend the school. Due to the additional efforts invested by the teachers it has become a very popular activity among Roma girls. I had a meeting with the OSCE Officer who is a focal point for Roma in the Herzegovina Region and she was really happy and pleased to hear about the school for Roma Girls and especially about the success.

The lectures also attract lot of attention, as the general situation in the country is getting worse (sometimes I think we all live a nightmare here). For example Edisa and Alma had to repeat a WS in one place as the first one triggered interest of the local community and more people wanted to meet with us and to discuss the Project activities. Apparently there is a teenage girl from that area who used to be an A pupil in the primary school but when she started the secondary school she found bed company and has become prostitute! Many parents from that area asked Novi put to also include their daughters in the Mentoring Program even though they are not to be considered as “at-risk-families” as they have been afraid that their daughters might end up in the same way (apparently that girl has been going around wearing expensive cloths and telling other girls that they would never be as cool as she if they devote themselves to school).

Given that the Mentoring program has got support of the Faculties, management of all schools  throughout the Canton, but most important parents, and since the girls are interested to take part in the activities we have decided (of course if it is ok with the RI) to expand the number of both students/mentors and girls. The expansion of the number participants in this activity would not require any additional funds, we have lot of informative materials and it would be pity if we would not seize the moment and use the interest and motivation of all project participants. There is no need for me to increase my efforts on the project. Besides that, all students/mentors have been more than willing and happy to commit themselves to the mentoring program for the period of 3 years

Since we have advertised the Project very well, an international NGO with a branch office approached Novi put. They were delighted about work and offered to give some humanitarian assistance for the families which are included in our project and which would need some food, clothes or similar. We have asked all mentors to prepare the lists of such families in cooperation with the school pedagogues in their catchment areas, so we could help some of those in need. 

We will have some more media coverage of the Project soon and I will update you on time. This is also very good as normally media do not like to report on NGOs that much, but we have accomplished a great deal already and of course they want to report on success stories. 

I want to update you about the Project implementation and to share some great news with you.

The school for Roma is going excellent, there are even more girls who would like to attend the school. Due to the additional efforts invested by the teachers it has become a very popular activity among Roma girls. I had a meeting with the OSCE Officer who is a focal point for Roma in the Herzegovina Region and she was really happy and pleased to hear about the school for Roma Girls and especially about the success.

The lectures also attract lot of attention, as the general situation in the country is getting worse (sometimes I think we all live a nightmare here). For example Edisa and Alma had to repeat a WS in one place as the first one triggered interest of the local community and more people wanted to meet with us and to discuss the Project activities. Apparently there is a teenage girl from that area who used to be an A pupil in the primary school but when she started the secondary school she found bed company and has become prostitute! Many parents from that area asked Novi put to also include their daughters in the Mentoring Program even though they are not to be considered as “at-risk-families” as they have been afraid that their daughters might end up in the same way (apparently that girl has been going around wearing expensive cloths and telling other girls that they would never be as cool as she if they devote themselves to school).

Given that the Mentoring program has got support of the Faculties, management of all schools  throughout the Canton, but most important parents, and since the girls are interested to take part in the activities we have decided (of course if it is ok with the RI) to expand the number of both students/mentors and girls. The expansion of the number participants in this activity would not require any additional funds, we have lot of informative materials and it would be pity if we would not seize the moment and use the interest and motivation of all project participants. There is no need for me to increase my efforts on the project. Besides that, all students/mentors have been more than willing and happy to commit themselves to the mentoring program for the period of 3 years

Since we have advertised the Project very well, an international NGO with a branch office approached Novi put. They were delighted about work and offered to give some humanitarian assistance for the families which are included in our project and which would need some food, clothes or similar. We have asked all mentors to prepare the lists of such families in cooperation with the school pedagogues in their catchment areas, so we could help some of those in need. 

We will have some more media coverage of the Project soon and I will update you on time. This is also very good as normally media do not like to report on NGOs that much, but we have accomplished a great deal already and of course they want to report on success stories. 

I want to update you about the Project implementation and to share some great news with you.

The school for Roma is going excellent, there are even more girls who would like to attend the school. Due to the additional efforts invested by the teachers it has become a very popular activity among Roma girls. I had a meeting with the OSCE Officer who is a focal point for Roma in the Herzegovina Region and she was really happy and pleased to hear about the school for Roma Girls and especially about the success.

The lectures also attract lot of attention, as the general situation in the country is getting worse (sometimes I think we all live a nightmare here). For example Edisa and Alma had to repeat a WS in one place as the first one triggered interest of the local community and more people wanted to meet with us and to discuss the Project activities. Apparently there is a teenage girl from that area who used to be an A pupil in the primary school but when she started the secondary school she found bed company and has become prostitute! Many parents from that area asked Novi put to also include their daughters in the Mentoring Program even though they are not to be considered as “at-risk-families” as they have been afraid that their daughters might end up in the same way (apparently that girl has been going around wearing expensive cloths and telling other girls that they would never be as cool as she if they devote themselves to school).

Given that the Mentoring program has got support of the Faculties, management of all schools  throughout the Canton, but most important parents, and since the girls are interested to take part in the activities we have decided (of course if it is ok with the RI) to expand the number of both students/mentors and girls. The expansion of the number participants in this activity would not require any additional funds, we have lot of informative materials and it would be pity if we would not seize the moment and use the interest and motivation of all project participants. There is no need for me to increase my efforts on the project. Besides that, all students/mentors have been more than willing and happy to commit themselves to the mentoring program for the period of 3 years

Since we have advertised the Project very well, an international NGO with a branch office approached Novi put. They were delighted about work and offered to give some humanitarian assistance for the families which are included in our project and which would need some food, clothes or similar. We have asked all mentors to prepare the lists of such families in cooperation with the school pedagogues in their catchment areas, so we could help some of those in need. 

We will have some more media coverage of the Project soon and I will update you on time. This is also very good as normally media do not like to report on NGOs that much, but we have accomplished a great deal already and of course they want to report on success stories.