We would appreciate notebooks, schoolbags, and children underwear. Contact us at 040/613-373, 040/318-290.

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Nevenka, Marjana
Fotografije: Marko Sok, Nevenka Mulej

I'm thinking how our world is unjust and divided. Some people live in excessive luxury, surrounded by nice cards, houses, clothing. Also average people have enough. How many coats in our closet, how many nice shoes.

And despite our spring cleanings, we still have many old, but nice and useful things in our closets, which would satisfy many a man; some mother would be happy to save money. 

I'm not ashamed to take a second-hand thing, if I like it. To make room in my closet, I give away one of my clothes. And everything goes around and circulates; someone helps me, I help another person, we do good for humanity, and less good for merchants.

But probably not everybody thinks like that, and to be honest, I occasionally wander into a shopping mall to get new trousers, shoes, etc. You see, we have everything – talking about material goods, of course.

Imagine how little some people have.

Let's be thankful for what we have, and let's not be selfish, working only for our own good; let's have compassion for other people. 

I became a sponsor to a child in India. The boy, Veerapathiran, is 13 years old, without parents, he only has a sick grandmother. Each month I give 20€ for his schooling – which makes me no poorer or deprived, but enables him to go to school and provides him with possibilities other than working from morning till evening for some food. I'm in contact with Veera, I occasionally write him a letter and he sends back a drawing and a few words about how he feels. 

This is the least I can do, and this is just one of many children in India, so I often imagine how great it would be if each of us would become a sponsor for 20€. Do you know what that would mean? How many children would be provided for! I think the problem is not the amount. No doubt even this is a large sum for some, because costs of living are high. Besides, every parent first provides for his own child, which is an important, good work. Thus, one enables new life, and therefore working for the benefit of a person, in such case your child. 

Nevertheless, I believe that many people still have room for sponsoring a child. The challenge is therefore in making people aware about connecting for the benefit of the world, because we are still preoccupied with our own nest, and don't care much for other things. Perhaps such activities would unweave many difficulties and give a person the energy to confront the challenges in life. Broad-minded thinking and acting is worthwhile! 

When I became a sponsor, the path took me to EkoAlt Vindol. Those who have been at their place in Kozjansko know that a different energy can be felt there that appeases people, which I yet cannot explain. One doesn’t meet often in one place so much enthusiasm and strong will to work, and positive people of goodwill. As a very enthusiastic new member of the organisation I like to tell my friends, describe what the founders do – although I believe that I have so far seen only a small part in the mosaic of the organisation’s activities. There are many more project, the vision is much broader. 

And these friends listen to me with open ears and a desire awakens in them to do something like that, to meet the founders, visit the place or go to a lecture. All these people are thus aware that care and compassion for people who need help are important, and they are questioning their purpose in life, as I am. Only a step is needed to turn their potential to concrete actions. How helpful would be a pair of hands in various projects, such as sorting clothes for Bosnia, Montenegro or India, help in selling clay products in the gallery, making ceramics, etc. 

Anyone who starts on the journey of volunteer work must know that he or she can only get satisfaction and find the meaning of life. Connected, we’ll be happier and stronger. It’s worth at least to try. 

Nataša, Marjana

Upon our return to Slovenia, we started collecting school requisites. We linked up with the head of Primary School Lava, Ms Marijana Kolenko, in Celje, and with her help we collected schoolbags, notebooks, crayons… We also collected numerous clothes – from underwear to coats for the youngest, as well as for older children.

Representatives of our organisation handed everything over, to the joy of children and the management. We had a meeting to discuss other collaboration possibilities. We agreed to sign a collaboration agreement.

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Nevenka,  Marjana

Photo: Nevenka

Representatives of "EkoAltVindol" ( Ayana Pešec, Branka Laznik, Nevenka Mulej) continued the journey to Montenegro.

First, we visited Sarić family in Nikšić and delighted Mrs. Darinka with a wheelchair.

As her knees are severely worn out, her living space was up to now limited to her room. Now, her son and daughter in law with children, who take care of her, can take her to other rooms, as well as outside, and enable her a better quality, fulfilled ageing.

The wheelchair was handed over to her son Vojislav.

Mrs. Darinka will use the wheelchair for as long as she needs it.

Nevenka, Marjana

The agreement is an expression of goodwill and friendly relationship between the two organisations that work for the good of people who need help.

Collected material – clothing, footwear, notebooks, schoolbags, sanitary material, adult diapers, a wheelchair were turned over today in Konjic.

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Nevenka, Marjana