About Vukovar Butterflies
Welcome to the Association Vukovar Butterflies!
The Association Vukovar Butterflies was founded in 2011 at the initiative of a group of parents of children with disabilities, to provide support and develop the potential of these children and ensure their equal inclusion in all aspects of life. At that time, in Vukovar-Srijem County, children with disabilities did not have access to adequate care and treatment, nor could they attend regular kindergartens and schools, and they did not have access to teaching assistants. The members of the Association are very active in preventing and fighting discrimination based on health and social status. So far, numerous protests, roundtable discussions, and meetings with all relevant stakeholders, especially with the Ombudsman for Persons with Disabilities and the Ombudsman for Children, have been organized. Through our engagement, we have contributed to changes in public policies and the rights of children with disabilities and influenced a change in the general public’s awareness through numerous media appearances. Since its inception, the Association has been involved in a series of advocacy activities to improve the position of children with disabilities in the community, towards local authorities, relevant ministries, and the Croatian Government. This has resulted in recognizing the status of Provider of Social Services and signing contracts with the Ministry of Labor, Pension System, Family, and Social Politics.
The Association has received:
- State Award for humanitarian work (2019).
- State Award for the promotion of children’s rights (2021).
- Public recognition – plaque from the City of Vukovar for promoting the rights of children with disabilities and improving the quality of their lives (2020).
- Croatian Women’s Network Award – Influential Croatian Woman, 2020 in the category of philanthropy, Viktorija Matin.
- Pride of Croatia Award – Viktorija Matin (2023).
Values and Operating Principles
The Association of Vukovar Butterflies is the only organization in Vukovar-Srijem County that bases its work on improving medical and social care for children with disabilities. Accordingly, the Association plans, organizes, and implements activities for improving children’s welfare. It has a strong influence on raising the awareness of the local community regarding the importance of including children with disabilities in all aspects of social and public life.
By incorporating highly educated professionals into its work, the Association aims to emphasize the importance of continuous rehabilitation by creating the most favorable environment for children with disabilities.
The recognizability of the quality of our work can be seen through the number of involved children, positive results of organized therapies, and the support and monitoring from the local government of the City of Vukovar and the Vukovar-Srijem County, as well as the Ministry of Labor, Pension System, Family, and Social Policy, Ministry of Science and Education, Central State Office for Demography and Youth, numerous donors, supporters, and volunteers, as well as the number of obtained various national and EU projects.
Vision
Our vision is to create a society that provides equal opportunities and social inclusion for children with disabilities.
Mission
To ensure equal opportunities for a quality life and to meet the healthcare, social, educational, and cultural needs of children with disabilities. Through our actions, we aim to promote human rights and contribute to the development of civil society.
Guiding Principle
Respect all rights, and we will change the world!
Goals
The Association aims to enhance the quality of life, and medical and social care for children with disabilities and their families. The Association promotes the rights of children with disabilities through the following objectives:
- Continuous medical and habilitative care
- Promotion of the principle of equal opportunities
- Non-discrimination
- Fostering and encouraging an inclusive culture in society
- Full participation in society to the best of their abilities
- Embracing disability as an integral part of human diversity
- Respecting the rights of parents and their circumstances
- Providing education and socialization for children with disabilities
Activities
- The association strives to establish and maintain collaborations with parents of children with disabilities, professionals, institutions, and associations. With associations, we aim to collaborate on a local and international scale.
- It aims to inform members and the general public about the specific challenges children with disabilities and their families are facing.
- The association is committed to promoting the development of essential facilities, such as daycare centers, educational and vocational institutions with tailored programs, integration facilities, and healthcare institutions.
- In collaboration with experts, the association coordinates various programs for children with disabilities encompassing cultural, sports, and playgroups.
- The association hosts professional events such as conferences, consultations, seminars, and similar gatherings.
- It actively promotes education and professional development for professionals working with children with disabilities.
- The association is maintaining partnerships with the local community, including other associations and Vukovar Polytechnic’s physiotherapy studies we coordinate volunteer activities. These efforts aim to nurture an inclusive culture among future professionals and advocates.
- The association Vukovar Butterflies organizes social events within its community, such as playgroups, workshops, and entertainment, to promote socialization among children.
- Some activities include publishing that aligns with the association’s objectives and tasks. Materials may include information regarding disseminating information and collaborating on translating professional literature.
- The association actively participates in the collection and distribution of humanitarian aid.
- It is also involved in creating and selling souvenirs.
- Additionally, the association takes on various other tasks regarding enhancing and improving the quality of life for children with disabilities, and their families.
Association of parents of children with disabilities Vukovar butterflies
Association Vukovar butterflies is a provider of psychosocial support services for children with disabilities
Would you like to donate?
The association is funded through fundraising campaigns, donations, and projects. We are grateful to our donors and funders for their kind financial support as well as the support of our Volunteers. Thanks to your donations, our children receive support every day that makes a significant difference in their lives. Thank you!
Addiko Bank
Account number 2500009-1101363619
IBAN: HR62 2500 0091 1013 6361 9
SWIFT: HAABHR2
Every family has its own story, welcome to ours!
Most of the people I know, often comment that they find working with children with disabilities very difficult, but also admirable.
They also believe that it takes a lot of time and effort to work with children with disabilities, and the results are sometimes slower than expected. That’s why I always like to point out successes and positive examples from practice. I believe that each of us members, volunteers and employees should influence the opinion of people about our work, and every nice word and comment about us and our work, every recognition and gratitude makes me proud.
These days I’m thinking about one boy in particular. He had a bad opinion of himself and his abilities, often compared himself to others, and was occasionally sad. He believed he couldn’t do many things. At the last meeting, just before the beginning of the new school year, the same boy said that he was looking forward to school, learning, and socializing. He realized what he was good at and began to accept himself. He learned to stand up for himself and gained the necessary confidence. I will continue to help the boy so that he becomes a satisfied, independent, and happy person despite the difficulties. Nothing is more beautiful than when you are the wind at someone’s back when you remind them of their wings. It is not always necessary to take a lot from ourselves to give a lot to others.
Danijela Maurović,
psychological support
During my work at the Association, I met many parents, and children and learned their stories.
The one in particular that impressed me is the story of a family from Osijek who comes to our Association every day for therapy for their three-year-old son. In our association, all the necessary therapies are provided for him in one place, completely free of charge.
I met the family and the boy during the implementation of the Tomatis method. At the beginning of the therapeutic process, the boy was non-verbal, and after listening to the first cycle of the Tomatis method, he began to pronounce certain words, which was a huge success and satisfaction for me.
The parents were overjoyed, and all their efforts paid off. For parents of non-verbal children, there is no greater relief than when their child can tell them when something hurts when they are hungry or thirsty or when they want to play. By the end of the therapy process, he became a real little chatterbox.
In my daily communication with people, I get positive reactions and comments to the answers where I work. They say it is not easy to work with our children, but we do so much and spend time with them with a smile.
Maja Malčić,
Psychologist – half-day care
After Dunja was diagnosed with a rare form of epilepsy, we received a recommendation from a neuropediatrician that we need professional help in addition to medication. I heard about the Association Vukovar butterflies from a friend. We made an expert assessment and started therapy shortly after.
I was happy because she started therapy in a short period (usually a waiting list is very long), because I knew the importance of an early intervention for children with disabilities.
Each therapist invests a lot of effort in working with my little girl, and I have no doubts about the quality work of all therapists, for her and for other children who come to therapy. They invest a lot in their knowledge, educate themselves, and upgrade, as well as their skills for working with children who have different disabilities.
They have a lot of will, desire, and love to help every child.
Children with disabilities, unfortunately, are still a stigma in our society. In addition to the therapies that help them, it is also very important to spend quality free time and socialize, in activities such as horseback riding, sports activities, playrooms, workshops… Unfortunately, these activities are carried out on a project basis, which means that they have their beginning and end, that is, they are not sustainable programs.
All the mentioned activities are very important to us, as well as the project for young people: #kwalkingtogether – young people in the community, not on the margins. While the children are having fun and socializing, I do some other things that I have to do during the day.
The association was and still is a great help to us. With the help and support of everyone involved in the work, I hope that Dunja will continue to progress, grow, and be happy with her friends and have a place where she belongs and where she will happily come.
Marija Rajh,
Mother
My M., a child who was born from a regular pregnancy and followed a normal child development, before his first birthday simply became different. As a parent, I understood that something was wrong, but I consoled myself with our old saying “It’s male, so you know that boys always trot a little…” This “trotting” of ours has its name – AUTISM. My M. doesn’t talk, doesn’t respond to his name, doesn’t perform the given actions.
On the recommendation of an acquaintance, who is also an employee of the Association Vukovar Butterflies, we signed up for a half-day care and therapy seasons, which are much needed. Today, almost 2 years since we joined the association, my M. is a different child. Not because he is 2 years older, but because he has learned to work hard.
Therapists do an excellent job. I help as much as I know and can, but expertise is a key factor in these situations. Therapists are professional, and they are constantly upgrading their knowledge.
My M. is still my M. in appearance, but his behavior is completely different. The therapies he attends have led to M. behaving the way I could only dream! Without the Association, there would be no progress, the Association is the one that gives different children the possibility of equality and acceptance. Children, so different, yet similar, spend quality time together in the Association, building acquaintances and friendships with professional supervision and support, and building themselves as people. Our children are becoming great people…
There is no word strong enough to express our gratitude for everything the Association does for both our children and us parents. I think that even a big thank you is too little for everything they have done, are doing, and will do in the future for the children.
Anamaria Vulić,
Mother
The best feeling in the world is the opportunity to be wind under someone’s wings. It is not always necessary to take a lot from ourselves to give a lot to others.
Recently, a boy from a family where the parents did not get along very well came to our half-day care. For the first few months, the boy had emotional difficulties. He didn`t get along with his peers, didn`t have a smile on his face during playtime, and most of the time he looked at the floor, he did not communicate or play with other children, nor with us employees. Quiet and withdrawn, he did the assigned tasks with our help. Month by month, the boy improved in every sense. When I first saw the smile on his face and happiness while he was playing with other children, the feeling was indescribable! In this type of situation, we realize that our work has greater meaning and importance in the lives of the children who stay with us.
Today, that same boy comes to our playroom with a smile on his face and can’t wait to hang out and play with his friends. Of course, our work didn’t end there, and with every progress, he makes me extremely happy and makes me proud that we made his childhood a little bit better.”
Dajana Komnenov,
Physiotherapist – Half-day care
The birth of a child with disabilities brings significant challenges for parents and the entire family. After I began working at the Association, I realized that for parents of children with disabilities life is an uncertain journey, and it is us who will improve the quality of the child’s life and bring smiles to the parents’ faces through our hard work and dedication.
I administer the Neurofeedback method at the Association. In my schedule, I have twenty children with various disabilities. Each child is unique in their own way, but I would particularly highlight a five-year-old cheerful girl with autism spectrum disorders. Initially, she had very scattered attention and couldn’t sit still to watch cartoons.
The girl has shown tremendous progress. She always comes to therapy sessions with a smile and in good spirits. She loves watching the cartoon “Dora the Explorer”. During therapy, she is calmer and follows the content she watches. Parents have noted that she vocalizes more and has better attention and concentration. The girl will continue to attend therapy sessions because we want to achieve specific goals, and with effort and determination, we know we will.
Working at the Association is very noble, beautiful, sometimes demanding and challenging, but the most beautiful feeling is when you see progress and the happiness of parents because parents are the ones we need to support greatly through everything they go through. By doing this job, I know that I am providing a better quality of life for the child, and that is truly priceless. I am proud to be part of this wonderful story – the Butterflies of Vukovar, because through our work, effort, and dedication, we give wings to our little butterflies.
Patricia Knežević,
Master of Physiotherapy, Neurofeedback Practitioner
Your little support means a lot to them!
As a physiotherapist, I am an employee at the Association of Vukovar Butterflies, where I work with children with disabilities. In our daily work, we strive for children, regardless of their disabilities, to be integrated into everyday life processes and activities.
Children come to our Association with various and multiple disabilities. Some have motor, speech, and language difficulties, behavioral disorders, and difficulties in social interaction. Our job is extremely complex, demanding, and responsible, but the experiences gained are invaluable because they are based on the warmth and sincerity of the children.
Many children and moments spent with them will forever remain in memory. It is an exceptional feeling when we meet a child with whom we work outside of the Association when they recognize us and fly into our arms with a smile.
Our work comes with various challenges. Sometimes feedback from the child is not clear, sometimes progress may be harder to see, and sometimes it is difficult to establish adequate contact with the child or have successful communication. The challenges we face cannot discourage us because our greatest reward is the success that the child carries with them after our effort and the realization that we have done something good with visible results.
The children we work with are charming, and their differences do not make them any less valuable than other children!
Biljana Cvijanović
Physiotherapist – Psychosocial Support
All children are different, every child is unique, and they all have the right to a quality life according to their abilities and capabilities.
In the Association Vukovar Butterflies, I started working half a year ago, providing sensory integration therapy, and I have forty children with various difficulties in my schedule. Each child is an individual and should be approached as such. I have a good connection with each child, but I would especially like to highlight a five-year-old boy with autism spectrum disorders.
There’s been significant progress with the boy. Initially, he didn’t establish eye contact and had the most trouble with tactile stimulations. Lately, he has started to communicate through eye contact and gestures. He requires a lot of proprioceptive and vestibular stimuli. There has been great progress in applying tactile stimulation, where he no longer shows fear and easily accepts assigned tasks.
He is always in a good mood during therapy sessions. The boy will continue to attend therapy sessions to achieve set goals. Sensory integration has helped him in everyday activities, and his mother mentions that he allows haircuts, covering, wearing hats, enjoys going to the park, and swinging, which wasn’t the case before.
By doing this job, I know that I’m also doing a good deed, providing better quality of life for children with disabilities through my work. I’m proud to be part of this family, part of the Butterflies who enable a better life for children with disabilities and bring smiles to the faces of children and parents.
Nikola Komnenov,
Physiotherapist, Sensory Integration Therapist
Through these three years of work at the Association, I have met many children and their families. Each child is special in their own way and has their own story. Some of them can tell it, while others need help with that.
It’s not easy when you have a lot to show and say, but you can’t do it yourself because you feel trapped in your body, like in a tight armor. And then we come into this story, all the therapists – we’re here to remove that armor and give the story a chance to come out and reach the people who need to hear it.
When people ask me which child has left the greatest mark on me, I know who I remember first, and everyone around me knows it too – it’s become an internal joke among us, but not because that child is my favorite (although maybe it is), but simply because of the journey we’ve been through together, a journey that was initially long, thorny, and full of obstacles. We started with great frustration, rejection, and mistrust, and now we’ve reached a big smile, a feeling of security, and rushing to therapy. And that’s why I’m proudest – because we’ve come together to this point.
However, on the other hand, it’s hard to single out just one child because each of them leaves their mark and memories. I have a special situation and memory with each of them, and we continue to tell that common story day by day – some days it’s more beautiful, some days a little less, but it’s all important because that story is life-affirming and shows how much we learn and progress every day.
Some might say that I’m here for those children to learn a lot from me, which is true, but I also learn a lot from them, sometimes without even realizing it. The most important thing in all of this is that all those children in the Association have a safe place where they can be who they are, without fear of any judgment or prejudice. Here, they know they are safe and accepted just as they are, and that’s the most important thing. Moreover, it’s important that they know and feel it, as evidenced by the happy expressions on their faces and the eager rush through the doors of the Association, and then into the arms of the therapists – just because they know they are safe with them. All of this speaks to how intertwined we are in their lives, as they are in ours, and how many pages we have written together in this story of ours. And there are so many pages awaiting us…
As the very name of the Association suggests – they are all our little Butterflies (with a capital “B”) because they progress day by day and grow into wonderful young individuals. How many colors will they show to this sometimes gloomy world and beautify it, just wait and see! And therein lies the answer to when I feel proud and happy – I’m proud every day when I see them, and I’m immensely happy that they have let me into their world and that I’m part of their life story.
Majda Joha,
psychologist, neurofeedback practitioner
Dominik is a very special boy who is 11 years old, very emotional, stubborn, who loves riding bicycles, going to the Danube for swimming, shopping, walking, playing tennis on the street… he loves and wants everything other children do. Sounds good so far, doesn’t it? But, let me introduce you to our story.
When we first visited a psychologist, Dominik was 2 years and 9 months old. His attention span was short, he changed interests very quickly, and hyperactivity was very, very pronounced. He always had energy to run around and get into mischief. The psychologist concluded that he was just a lively child. And so we continued until he was 4 years old. By then, the situation in kindergarten was very, very difficult for him… I will never forget the mornings when we drove to kindergarten, and he begged me not to leave him there – we cried together…
Kindergarten was associated with unpleasant memories for him because he wasn’t accepted. That period of our lives was very tough; we were avoided, nobody from the kindergarten ever invited us to a birthday party, and we had a very small circle of people around us.
And so we started searching for help again, searching again, waiting, crying… While we waited and scheduled appointments for examinations and tests in hospitals in search of early intervention, where to start, how to help, what to do, I came across the number of an association of parents of children with disabilitis Vukovar Butterflies from Vukovar. I called them first thing in the morning, and the president of the association, Viktorija, explained everything to me. We went to the association for therapies, and we utilized everything we could get from therapy. It was difficult, exhausting, we had many challenges, but it was definitely the best decision. The association was then fighting for survival and succeeded! I don’t know where my Dominik and I would be without them…
The association employs professional staff who taught both Dominik and me: special education teacher, psychologist, and kinesiologist. We talked every day, I got answers to all my questions and doubts, they wiped my tears, strengthened me psychologically… In the association, I learned about all the rights I could use to make things easier for us; they were always supportive, especially for Dominik when enrolling in school in Ilok. In the association, I met other moms and children, which further strengthened me because we could talk to someone who understands me and who has similar problems, especially since a small circle of people stayed with us all that time.
After almost 8 years of going to the association, what I can say is that the diagnosis doesn’t necessarily have to be the prognosis, we proved and prove that every day by what they teach us in the association because every day they push the boundaries helping our children.
I don’t want to recall what it was like to live in a small community, with a child with disabilities, and expect integration into kindergarten, into the community… That period of our lives was, I’ll be polite and say, very challenging, but through our case, it initiated positive changes in our educational institutions in Ilok, and I dare say they are now “gentler” towards our children. As a memento of that period, I also received my diagnosis.
Dominik is much more accepted now than before, he knows a lot more, learns and progresses every day, he even knows how to deal with challenging situations by himself. We are all calmer, we have been through a lot, and if things get tough – we know where and to whom to turn.
Thank you for making our world better every day.
Željka Toth
Mother
After M. was diagnosed with suspected autism at almost 2 years old, I knew we needed professional help, but I didn’t know where to find it. Upon the recommendation of our pediatrician, we went to the Association Vukovar Butterflies , and shortly after, he received his first therapy sessions. I found this almost unbelievable because usually, there’s a long wait for appointments, and early intervention is crucial in the development and progress of children with developmental difficulties.
Every therapist puts in a lot of effort in working with him, and the results are evident! They also continuously enhance their knowledge through various training sessions, which is indicative of their dedication, love, and desire to help every child.
Considering that children with disabilities are still stigmatized in our society, every project is of great importance to us because through them, we can involve children in various activities (such as horseback riding, sports, playgroups) that we couldn’t involve them in with typically developing children.
Personally, the playgroup project meant a lot to us because M. was surrounded by children in play and fun, which is very important for his socialization, while I could take care of some daily tasks that I usually struggle with.
Now, after 5 years in the association, as a single mother of a child with a confirmed diagnosis of autism, I have decided to move to Vukovar primarily because of the Vukovar Butterflies, to make it easier for him to attend therapy sessions and to involve him in as many activities as our dedicated professionals and association leaders come up with.
The association has always been a great help and support to both of us. Please support the association so that M. can continue to progress, play, grow, and have fun with his friends.
Vlatka Stanković
Mother
Robert was born as a premature baby with multiple impairments. In our city, there wasn’t adequate therapy available… I believe this story is already familiar to you because it’s the story of most parents of children with disabilities.
We used to drive Robert to Osijek for motor exercises. That’s all we could do during that period. As he grew, it became necessary to engage in other types of therapy – but we didn’t have the opportunity for that neither in our city nor nearby.
We couldn’t enroll Robert in a kindergarten group. His difficulties were too great, even for a group of children with disabilitis… Imagine the quality of that child’s life – not having the opportunity for growth and development.
In Association Vukovar butterflies, we were welcomed into the playgroup without any problems! It was a group where children of mixed ages with and without difficulties were present. He was wonderfully accepted there and was happy to be among children where we received very good socialization and preparation for school. Besides the playgroup, Robert also had various therapies, so we as parents had time to do our chores and duties, and at the same time, we were sure that he was very well taken care of. All the staff and therapists are extremely professional, warm, and carry out their work with love. Children feel it, and we parents see it. We are informed about the training sessions that the employees undergo, which are a complete novelty (such therapies are not available until Zagreb). This is extremely important to us parents because we have the opportunity to try different therapies without additional time and money wasted on traveling. We are happy that there is professional staff who understand how important it is for a child to start with various types of exercises early on, and in cases of significant difficulties, with new types of devices that stimulate brain function, coordination, and attention. We received all of this at the association with the full assistance and support of every therapist! I hope that with the help of those of you reading this, the association will be able to continue its work. Thank you for helping children like Robert make progress, feel welcome, and for us parents to receive support for the quality of life of our families.
Romana Vampovac
Mother
Life before joining the Vukovar Butterflies Association was a bit chaotic because we didn’t know how to channel and help our daughter, how to cope with the new situation on our own, and everything that comes with challenges in a child.
We are very grateful to all the staff professionals for improving the quality of our daily lives with their efforts, dedication, patience, guidance, and work.
With the visible progress of each child, joy and happiness are immediately apparent, and parents’ nervousness and stress are reduced. Because of all of the above, it is our wish, but also a great need, to maintain all existing programs implemented in the association, to retain all employees in their positions, to continue projects, and ultimately to ensure that assistance and support are continuous for all our children and all programs and activities.
Jelena Čimbur
Mother
Facing the diagnosis of our child was the hardest for us.
It was difficult for both us and our daughter to cope with the challenges that come with the diagnosis, but after accepting the situation, we embraced the professional support at the Association Vukovar Butterflies where we quickly received help, support, and advice for our child, as well as better interactions for the whole family.
My little girl has progressed a lot since joining the Association, and the support we receive here means a lot to us. Anyone who can should help support the work of this association so that these children can grow from little caterpillars into beautiful butterflies because with a lot of love and effort, the sky is their only limit.
Marija Varga
Mother
When we had our first child, we were overjoyed. We followed every step, enjoying everything until we realized Ivano was changing. In that situation, you have so many mixed emotions that you don’t know what to expect, which scares you the most.
We went for various check-ups where we mostly heard that he was just “lazy,” but as a mom, I knew there was more to it. It wasn’t until he turned four years old that he received the diagnosis – autism.
Our first therapies took place in the Association of Vukovar butterflies. Eight years ago, the Association Vukovar Butterflies was not yet a provider of social services but was funded by donations and through small projects. One of the activities was a playgroup that took place three hours a day in association, and there, my child was involved with other children for the first time (he wasn’t accepted into kindergarten because he didn’t have an assistant).
As the Association progressed and the number of services increased, so did my child’s progress. All the staff who work there, work with so much love that even after eight years of attending therapy, my son still looks forward to going and working with them. He is now 12 years old, and thanks to the Association and the projects it has been running for many years, my son leads a very active life. Through the projects, he had swimming and horseback riding, which he enjoyed, and a playgroup where I could leave him with the teachers to take care of him when I had something to do on my own.
Some of these projects are over, as a mother (and I’m not the only one), I would like my child to continue living an active and happy life because this place is not just for therapy, our children play, socialize, and learn here. It is a second home for us. So, I hope you won’t ignore our plea for support because we are only fighting for a better and higher quality of life for our children.
To all parents, I say that life is not over, use the key that was given to you, and with it, you can slowly unlock your child’s potential. Take care of today and don’t worry about tomorrow!
Ankica Đuričić
Mother
EVERY FAMILY HAS ITS OWN STORY, WELCOME TO OURS…
Dear donors,
My son Leo is 17 years old today, and he is a happy child.
He was born with multiple impairments, his first independent breath came after 20 minutes, and experts advised me to place him in an institution because they believed there was no help for him. Leo was labeled and written off right from the beginning. When you have so many problems, people start avoiding you.
I didn’t have time to despair. Every day was a fight for itself. We were alone! None of the professionals wanted to start therapy with him, they all offered reasons not to. It was a difficult period. Leo was not doing well, and I was forced to beg for money from other people to treat him abroad. I realized I had to fight, and together with parents of other children with disabilities, 12 years ago, we founded the Association Vukovar Butterflies. 12 years ago, children with disabilities in eastern Croatia were discriminated against in every way and did not have adequate support.
Today, in the Association, we have early intervention and rehabilitation programs, psychosocial support, and other different methods that are not implemented within the system, such as swimming, horseback riding, sports activities, playgroups, and half-day care. Because of this, it is much easier for us to live in our city, and we do not feel like second-class citizens. A lot is behind us, and we are happy that we have achieved some of our goals, but there is still much ahead of us – a lot of work and sacrifice to continue helping children with disabilities and give them a reason for joy and laughter.
We have achieved all of this thanks to your support, dear donors.
You are the ones who made it possible for children and parents to have the right to rehabilitation, the right to a normal childhood, and the right to quality life. You are part of our story about respecting small miracles and believing in the big ones. The story is about hope. During our difficult days, we met many good people, connected with them, and stayed in touch. Some were briefly present in our lives, but they gave us a lot; some are still here and help us continue bravely.
Thank you to everyone who selflessly helped us all this time. Thanks to this, our 230 children have a chance to progress further. Every one of your donations is a great help and a gift for children with disabilities. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
Viktorija Matin
Leo’s mom, founder, and president of the Association Vukovar Butterflies
After Dunja was diagnosed with a rare form of epilepsy, we received a recommendation from a neuropediatrician that we need professional help in addition to medication. I heard about the Association Vukovar butterflies from a friend. We made an expert assessment and started therapy shortly after.
I was happy because she started therapy in a short period (usually a waiting list is very long), because I knew the importance of an early intervention for children with disabilities.
Each therapist invests a lot of effort in working with my little girl, and I have no doubts about the quality work of all therapists, for her and for other children who come to therapy. They invest a lot in their knowledge, educate themselves, and upgrade, as well as their skills for working with children who have different disabilities.
They have a lot of will, desire, and love to help every child.
Children with disabilities, unfortunately, are still a stigma in our society. In addition to the therapies that help them, it is also very important to spend quality free time and socialize, in activities such as horseback riding, sports activities, playrooms, workshops… Unfortunately, these activities are carried out on a project basis, which means that they have their beginning and end, that is, they are not sustainable programs.
All the mentioned activities are very important to us, as well as the project for young people: #kwalkingtogether – young people in the community, not on the margins. While the children are having fun and socializing, I do some other things that I have to do during the day.
The association was and still is a great help to us. With the help and support of everyone involved in the work, I hope that Dunja will continue to progress, grow, and be happy with her friends and have a place where she belongs and where she will happily come.
Marija Rajh
Mother