At the beginning of March we were invited to a large gathering of firement in Sunja, so we gladly decided to attend and visit a few more friends. We received a lot of praise and thankfulness for the mural we painted a few months on their tower. Here’s some pics from that evening, starting with our team, Andrea, Kris and I.
We of course checked our murals
And we met a lot of friends at the local bar Piccolo
We also visited some friends. Here with Filip’s parents. Remember the amazing video he produced a few years ago?
Nada welcomed us again at her place, and we took time to remember her sweet husband who just passed away
And here’s the original team, who met when the Civil March for Aleppo passed through Sunja exactly 7 years ago, in March 2017, and kept up friendship and cooperation with many projects: Jelica, Jasmina, Anna and Josip.
What’s the best way to end a year and start a new one? As tested and proven over and over, it’s in the name of solidarity and bringing gifts, smiles, hope. The need is so great as is the temptation to see everything black, a dead end we absolutely cannot succumb under.
Here are some photos of the start of the winter camp:
On December 31st we also celebrated Noemi’s birthday. In the morning we went to the migrant reception center and brought the winter clothing collected by our friends from Cloz, near Trento.
And then the “Candlelight Ceremony”: thoughts, wishes for the new year and gratitude for the past one.
The first day of the year we were in inland Croatia, visiting many families and lonely people.
On the second day of the year we armed ourselves with brushes and paints and went back to paint some more rooms for the guests of the retirement home in Nedešćina, near Labin. And the following day we returned dressed up as clown, with music and dancing.
And that’s not all: on January 4th we went to Bosnia, to bring three bags of educational toys to the primary school of a small village near Velika Kladuša. The toys were bought in Verona by Paolo Tinazzi, a high school friend; contact with the school came through Alma, one of the teachers, who is also very involved in social work.
A last beautiful encounter was the visit made to Anđeljka and her family, who live in a village near the school and who, in addition to welcoming our large group with a warm welcome, also told us their story, when they were chased away from their home in 1992 and lived as refugees for eight years, only to finally return to find their home destroyed. Starting over from scratch, freeing yourself from hatred and resentment, being happy for every moment of simple life… great lessons.
.A few thoughts from Maddalena:
A bright hug to you from the Veprinac Home. A home, a way of being in the world, between the mountains and the sea, where you can land and start again with simplicity of heart, with light luggage, with a spirit free for new beginnings.
I bring with me the beauty of new encounters, of songs, of good food prepared by many hands. The warm New Year’s Eve circle. Notes tuned little by little to other flames of lights. Falls, losses, rebirths, dreams transformed into words. Gestures and spontaneous hugs. Blessings, caresses transformed into concrete steps and help.
I carry with me the image of Rijeka station covered in the color of hope where those passing by are seen in their dignity.
The gaze of Loreta from the Nedešćina institute.
Her pale room illuminated by our brushstrokes. “A rainbow, a little angel. Is it possible?” She asked. Joy was in the shape of her eyes.
I bring with me the whole group of friends who are a bit artists, singers, dancers, crazy enough, with brushes in hand, colourfully dressed, going amongst rooms, corridors, people in need of care and attention. Thank you!
“To those who give the love they have inside. May they be blessed. However absurd and complex life may seem to us, it is perfect…” Perfect in the love of the time that passes, of the time that is given to us to choose, overturn, revive this humanity of ours with creativity.
We closed the Meet up in Trento with a quick but nice lunch and started travelling towards Trieste. The idea was to spend the evening in the square in front of the train station, where many migrants gather and receive help and some medical and loving care by Lorena, Gian Andrea and the volunteers of the association Linea d’ombra. The place was packed. As for material help, we brought sleeping bags, shoes and warm jackets. As usual though, our aim was to make some personal connections, which did happen, as we are still in touch with some of the people we met that night.
Laura distributed the letters her students wrote and received some in return.
Esther and Ruzanna played cards, some of us sang and we talked till late with several people.
The following morning we went to visit the people in the silos, one of the most horrible places I’ve seen. People stay in tents and when it rains there’s mud everywhere, rats are rampant and it just seems impossible that people can live in those conditions. We sang again as music does have the power to lift up spirits, and shared some food.
In the evening we arrived in Rijeka, at our place, which by comparison was a little bit of heaven. The following day we visited the Migrants spot near the train station, delivered a big box of gauzes and disinfectants a friend donated in Trento, and listened to the story of how Tinka, Damir, Sara and other volunteers started the place over a year ago.
After dinned, we listened to the amazing story of the Aladday family, and their ten years of travelling from Syria, thru Turkey, Greece, Montenegro, Bosnia and finally now in Germany. A father and his three children, thru perils, disappointments and delays.
A very nice article was published in a magazine in Bosnia about their story of love and heroism.
The following day we travelled to Spielfeld, in Austria, on the border with Slovenija. We walked thru this empty huge camp, imagining when it was packed with people, we were told a few thousands.
As it happened in a few places in Bosnia, the Balkan route moved, and left behind empty camps and squats. But the situation is always fluid, wars don’t seem to stop, and people are always looking for a better future.
(Anna: for a change and since we found an excellent “reporter” in this camp, I’ll pass the word to Michele, one of the fathers who participated in the second Family Camp of the summer).
I arrived at Home yesterday and it was as if 5 years hadn’t passed, as if we had said goodbye the day before and it was immediately hugs, stories and narrations of what has been and what will happen in these days together. The adventure begins with the association For a better world and we are ready.
The mural for the children of a nursery school in Rijeka has been completed with an explosion of colours, creativity and imagination.
“People should be educated about beauty: so that habit and resignation no longer creep into men and women, but curiosity and amazement always remain alive”. (Peppino Impastato)
An exchange of smiles and joy between the participants of the Family Camp and the guests of a nursing home near Labin.
The smile and serenity of grandmother Mica is striking, as despite the adversities of the war she decides to remain in the house and in the places where she lived with her family.
Thrown out by the army and forced to leave her home only to return and stay in the place she loves despite having no water (they bring her water cans once a week) and many other living conditions that we often take for granted.
Disarming how she describes how she goes beyond people’s belonging or ethnicity, how she trusts others and considers the person in their intrinsic value.
Today ends the week at Home where “time has flown” as Gioele reminds me and where the magic of the days and moments spent with people has allowed us to bring home a wealth of experiences, hugs, smiles and visions of the world. A time dedicated to our family and others, through small gestures of care and attention. There are many considerations about this experience, but I will focus on just a few:
– Doing good leads to everyone making a small contribution to change and making this world a better place.
– Hearing how people dealt with a war and its consequences always leads me to consider armed conflicts as a huge idiocy of the human race.
– Some testimonies have allowed us to understand that it is not easy to break the vicious circle of hatred, but it is essential to put out the flames of conflict (even if when you go to the town hall to get your documents you find in front of you the person who tortured you in prison until a few years earlier).
– There are no Serbs, Croats or Muslims, but as grandmother Mica says, people must be considered for what they are, restoring dignity to human beings.
– Seeing situations of poverty and considering how they can be faced with a smile even in the darkest moments helps you reconsider your priorities.
– Telling the positive aspects of others and not stopping at the negative ones allows you to be more magnanimous and give the other person the chance to surprise you.
– When you do something you believe in and carry it forward with courage and passion, something around you moves and help doesn’t take long to arrive. Thanks to all our traveling companions for this adventure relived 5 years later and made special by those who welcomed us and together work for a better world.
Also this year the Family Camps are very popular and in fact we had two.
The first and second day we dedicated ourselves to reviving the walls of the “Fortica” center for the disabled, where our Lidija works. The dads did a lot of cleaning around the external walls and the younger girls got busy in a decoupage workshop.
The day dedicated to clown therapy was also a success… from the choice of clown clothes, to the review of songs in Croatian, to the time spent with the guests of Dom Turnic: it was a day full of selflessness and joy.
Then there was the day spent in the hinterland bringing humanitarian aid to various needy families. Dear Biljana touched everyone’s heart…
…and the language of the heart knows no barriers.
The Pizza Party involved everyone: the preparation of the pizzas, the little waitresses serving around, the welcoming of the guests…
Another exciting moment was going to watch the sunset on Učka mountain. What indescribable colors.
And so this camp also ended, with so much joy and gratitude in everyone’s heart and the promise to continue to live these values in our everyday life.
With passion, because it is the fourth year that the parish of Travagliato (BS) sends us its young people, and it is one of the liveliest, most passionate and full of ardor and joy summer camps.
The first day we went to paint some murals in the rooms of a nursing home near Labin. Our young people satisfied the various requests: who wanted a castle, who a seahorse, who a smurf, etc. Above all, it was a wonderful opportunity to spend time with these lonely people and leave a mark that will remind them of the day spent together, of the singing, dancing and smiling.
And then, the inevitable day in inland Croatia, away from tourist Croatia. To bring humanitarian aid and a lot of humanity.
Practise for the Flash Mob Dance
and then in the Korzo of Rijeka, besides the Flash Mob Dance, we gave some many Free Hugs!
Other murals at the Dom Turnic institution. More than murals, we have “regenerated” the garden and the long table.
The bad weather had done some damage, but don’t worry, our team is coming…
Until next time, and thank you for once again bringing a contagious wave of joy!
Another International Camp took place at our Home, in Croazia. Volunteers arrived from Italy, Romania, Ukraine, Poland, Hungary, England, Canada, Czech Republic, Lithuania, Austria and the Netherlands. And of course, Croatia. For some it was the first time, for others the fifth or the sixth, in any case, right from the very start there was so much enthusiasm! Here’s the first meeting:
We worked two days at the migrants reception point, near the train station in Rijeka, painting three murales and a wooden house, helped by several young people coming mainly from Afghanistan. It was also a good opportunity to spend time with them and listen to the stories of their incredible journeys.
Those were the hottest summer days so far, but everyone did their best, as you can see from these colorful pictures:
Clowntherapy day was another day full of colours and energy, in spite of the heat. Everyone had a great time with the guests of Dom Turnic, singing, dancing and sharing lots of love!
Another big day was the combination of the Game of Hearts, the Flash Mob Dance and yes, after four long years, of Free Hugs!
Pizza Night was also a favourite, and friends from Rijeka joined us, inspite of the terrible storm which just a few hours before caused many trees to fall and interfere with the traffic.
And we had games, lots of fun times at the beach, time for long talks…
Thank you Francesco, Serena, Lara, Ben and Nadia for coming to give us a big hand on staff. You were amazing!
Thank you everyone for contributing to this unforgettable week of Love and Fun. To the next one!
Thirty-one Trentini came trotting down to us (from a popular Italian tongue twister) …. Mums, dads, teenagers, children.
Already friends for some time, thanks to the Boy Scout network, but this time committed to giving an even deeper and more personal meaning to their friendship.
Since months they had started a fundraiser to bring aid here in Croatia, to help needy families and the migrants at the Rijeka station. As they did last year.
Early evening: introductory meeting
First morning: big shopping to prepare the boxes of food that we would distribute the following day
Art workshop with the children, to prepare the cards to give to the people we would meet along the way.
Various chores around the Home
In the afternoon we all went to the train station, to deliver medicines, to help with the distribution of meals and… to sing!
Damir and Sara told us what motivated them to do this type of volunteering and how it was thanks to the diocese and the municipality of Rijeka that a reception point was able to be created, with showers, hot meals, first aid, clothing , shoes, etc.
We experienced some beautiful moments, where every cultural and linguistic barrier was broken down, by the power of love and by everyone’s goodwill.
31 Trentini, ten volunteers and about forty Afghan boys
In the evening, an introductory meeting to prepare for the trip inland
Day inland….no one will forget a big group like this! Below, at Grandma Milca’s house, who lives all alone
At Verica’s home
The following day we went back to the train station; there were fewer boys but the connection was even more personal and moving.
Community life!
Thank you so much, dear friends, for all you did to make this initiative happen.
With the exception of the pandemic period, we have been to Sunja, a town south of Zagreb, several times, since 2017. We were able to hold meetings, paint murals, do clownterapy, perform Flash Mob dances, hold workshops in the kindergarten, partecipate in youth events and most importantly establish some long lasting relationships with several dear friends there.
Sunja is indeed a very special town, which took a special place in our hearts.
So, it was time for another visit! And this time I went with Andrea, and we even had the luxury to travel by car.
Josip and Jasmina, as usual, took care of our logistics and made sure our time in Sunja was pleasant but also busy.
We first met with the mayor of Sunja and with the head of the local fireman station, to discuss the painting of the mural dedicated to Saint Florian, patron saint of the firemen.
This mural has to finally get done, as we were supposed to paint it in the summer of 2020!
That evening we were invited to the Firemen regional assembly, and it was officially announced, followed by a great clapping of hands, that the mural will happen!
We also met with Ivana, the director of kindergarden Bambi, and went to visit the school, which in the meantime underwent lots of improvements thanks to some grants she took the time to apply for. The mural is still in super shape and right on that day this memory appeared on Andrea’s phone.
A brief visit to dear Jelica, who unfortunately just injured her arm, but was still smiling, and even laughing, and still planning activities. You just can’t keep a good man down, in this case, a woman!
We also visited Visnja and Marijan, Filip’s parents. Filip is the author of two beautifulvideos, and currently working in Germany.
It was also great to meet with Ivan and Sara, two of the young people we’ve been keeping in touch with. Ivan has been carrying on a personal project of changing his part of the world by regularly cleaning various areas of Sunja. Here is a picture taken just before we had to hop in the car and return to Rijeka. There was also Jasmina, who still works as the town’s librarian and Josip, a jack of all trades, and a friend to all who need help.
Our big mural is also still in top shape, shining his rays of joy and hope throughout this lovely town that, inspite of war and earthquakes and many other challenges, is still bringing a great and positive contribution to our world.
A big thank you to Nada and Nikola for the great and genuine hospitality in their beautiful farm. And…see you soon!
[Anna: this time Maddalena, a teacher from Verona as well as my little sister, is telling us about the impressions and emotions of these intense days spent together between the old and the new year.
I take this opportunity to thank all of you, dear friends, who have contributed to this New Year’s Eve of solidarity with your presence and/or with many generous donations.
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By Maddalena Perlini, written on her Facebook profile.
I generally use social media to read the educational sites I’m registered with, public figures, writers, commentators… In these first days of 2023, I too enter, on tiptoe, to share an experience to transform, if possible, in a wish.
Just a few days ago, with friends from Verona, I was in Rijeka, among the good angels of the “Home” of “Per un mondo migliore”, my sister Anna, Paolo, Irena, Lois, George, my friends Andrea, Elena ( and consequently Lidija, Mama Marina, Rolly, Martina of Dom Turnić…). For the first time in Rieka in winter, away from the glitter of summer tourism, “a last among the last” as someone rightly puts it.
At the train station, the hub of many migrants almost invisible to most, we arrive with the van loaded with goods of various kinds provided by friends, acquaintances, and with two guitars. With simplicity and a watchful eye we listen. I am embraced by Ismeta, I see Damir, some volunteers from Caritas, Sister Nina from the Jesuit Relief Service and Sara from the Italian community. They are all very active and pass on to us the first instructions. With tireless dedication, every day they respond to the first aid needs of the countless refugees (about a hundred a day) coming above all from Afghanistan and Syria, trying to reach Germany and other European countries. Since last September they have been granted the right to stay on Croatian soil for a maximum of seven days. They cannot be hosted in public or private structures: their transit is therefore generally very fast, one and two nights and then away. Many have been on the road for more than a year, even three. We listen to their stories, they show us photos of a past, of an apparently distant world. Their shoes, their eyes are an open book that ‘bleeds’, made of mountains, lands, waters crossed under the sun and the rain, of pages full of goodbyes, but also of hope and smiles that appear more spontaneously as soon as we start singing…
Through the music and then in distributing hot meals (one a day is guaranteed), clothes and medicines, I feel a strong human warmth perceptible in the looks, in the desire of some to take photos to send to family members to reassure them that their journey continues safely. A light, our presence together, which, on a day of celebration like this, illuminates for a while the gray weather conditions and above all the uncertain, heavy prospects of these people who share this patch of cement, sometimes covered in puddles and mud. In moments of understandable concern for maintaining order, at the beginning and during the sorting of the humanitarian boxes, I perceive a delicate but sustainable strong thread of complicity, of humanity: a handover and gestures of attention that involve everyone.
We experience the same the following day in the Croatian hinterland, when dismay seems to have the upper hand at the sight of the loneliness of the elderly women we visited in post-war or post-earthquake dilapidated houses. Our cars are loaded, this time also with toys, and we visit Barbara and her family. We are offered a space of timeless conviviality, typical of those preparing a Turkish coffee in company. The warmth of her home, the care of her gestures tell a long story of redemption and solidarity with the friends of the Home. A flow of emotions, expectation, curiosity, participation and gratitude crosses us all, and every time more, if it were possible.
Love is truly a path of continuous growth that broadens one’s gaze; it digs inside, dissolves fears and generates, without stopping, the desire for dialogue, for bridges and bonds for life. There is no other way to peace than peace itself, starting with an understanding of the fragility of our existence and of those who are mostly on the sidelines.
The health workers of the institution “Fortica”, which houses children and adults with serious disabilities, remind us of this; we get to know some of them almost at the end of our trip. Their presence of “pure love”, as the head nurse tells us, invites us to use and mix, in harmony, all the vivacity of the colors available.
Each different brushstroke meets and completes that of another, as if to suggest a concrete path to hope, a commitment and a wish for everyone.
Happy New Year therefore, happy Epiphany and happy manifestation of Light to each of us, to every person who seeks it and carries even a small glimpse of it with them.
Better World Croatia / Per un mondo migliore 