This year's camp for children with developmental disabilities brings together 30 participants, and for parents like single mother Mihaela Soko, it means invaluable support during the summer holidays.
While summer holidays bring relaxation to most families, for parents of children with developmental disabilities, they often represent a period without the necessary professional support. It is precisely this gap that Dubrovnik has been successfully filling for ten years with a summer camp funded by the City. The program, intended primarily for students of Marina Držić Elementary School with a special curriculum, has gathered 30 participants this year, ranging from preschool age to 21 years old.
Camp leader Martina Sambrailo points out that a total of ten people have been engaged this year. "There are 10 of us, we have five groups, five group leaders, five assistants, mostly young people. We have two students of psychology and pedagogy, which particularly pleases me; this is their first job," Sambrailo told HRT. They take the children on walks and swimming, and alongside occupational therapy, art and music workshops are also organized.
A special role is played by the music workshop led by Luka Bokić. Many participants are non-verbal, but with him, he says, everyone sings. "We try to make these four hours as good and as fun as possible, to the extent we can for them. We try in various ways; every day we try to play music, it really does us and them good, they relax nicely, calm down, and have fun," Bokić explained.
For the families of the participants, the camp is much more than recreation. Mihaela Soko, a working single mother of three, does not hide her enthusiasm for the organization. "I am thrilled because I am a working single mother of three. It means the world to me because from 7:30 in the morning everything is super organized, Mr. Samir drives the kids, they return around noon, and I manage to get my work done," Soko stated. She adds that she wishes the camp lasted longer than a month, but she is grateful for this period as well because, as she says, "it means a great deal to me."
The time spent at the camp evokes strong emotions on both sides. Leader Sambrailo emphasizes how much everyone involved receives from the children. "We learn from them, we learn patience, we learn to rejoice, we learn strength," she highlighted. The program runs every working day, providing a safe and stimulating environment during the period when school doors are closed.
