A Peek Inside the Child Friendly Space for Refugees in Belgrade
Written by SOS Children's Villages emergency co-worker Goran Vreljanski in Belgrade, Serbia
In the Child Friendly Space of SOS Children's Villages Serbia in Belgrade, refugee children have a chance, at least for a short time, to forget the dreadful circumstances which led them to flee their homes and be carefree children again.
Ten-year-old Ahmet Shah came to the Child Friendly Space twice in one day.
The first time shy and withdrawn, the second time he shared his story with us, in great English.
Ahmet is from Syria. He is on the refugee route for a long time headed to Germany.
Ahmet travels with his two older brothers. In his homeland, he lost his mother, father and sister to the war.
Ahmet copes with his tragedy determined to pursue a better life. Still, on his face, I could clearly see the pain and stress that he had to endure at such a young age.
In the Child Friendly Space, Ahmet relaxed. He played chess, cut collage paper and made a drawing. He enjoyed the drawing best. He drew a happy child, fruit, trees and the sun. He signed his drawing and insisted that we sign it too.
He asked my colleague Ivana about her children and husband. She told him she was not married and has no children. Then he asked about her age and was shocked to find out she is 30.
When his brothers came to get him, Ahmet told them we're his friends.
"Have a safe travel and hopefully you'll find a better place to live for you and your brothers," we said as we hugged him goodbye.