Tim za socijalno uključivanje i smanjenje siromaštva

Author: NEOSTART (Social Inclusion Blog)

Two weeks ago the NEOSTART helpline received a call from the employees of the Higher Court in Belgrade. They were facing a young man who left the juvenile detention centre in Kruševac that day. At that moment, he had nowhere to sleep, nowhere to eat a meal, no ID card, and no clear idea what to do now. (…)

As a child, he lived in the street. However, since he learned to read and write at the age of four, he was very interesting for people, whom he would approach and easily win their affection. Somehow, he always managed to find something to eat, somewhere to sleep, and spent most of his time in games shops. This is where he learned computer skills, making money by showing others “tricks” for getting through game levels. Not only that, but with 14 years of age he worked in game shops, already earning a decent living. (…) Unfortunately, bad company drew him into the world of crime. Having committed several crimes with a group of juveniles, he found himself afoul of the law. It all ended with him being sent off to a juvenile detention centre. Although an unfortunate episode in his life, looking back at it today, he realizes it may have been the best thing to happen to him.

In the nearly four years he spent there, he completed primary school and learned the electrician’s trade. He completed primary school with straight A’s. Yes, our street urchin had A’s in chemistry, physics, maths, and all those subjects that represent pure torture for students. Not only was he the best student in the school, but also the best student in the workshop. In the workshop he studied the electrician’s trade, successfully passed the test and received an official certificate. People at the centre still say they cannot recall such a student and such a master of the craft. (…)

Due to an omission in the system, he had no personal documents on the day of his release. He wants to work, and earn money to live and have a shelter, but who would employ him without documents? And while we wait for the system to resolve its issues with significant delays and give an identity to this young man, we spread his story further. Thus, talking to our friends about him, we received a donation from a lady, to enable him to buy electrician’s tools. We were shocked, but she said: “He is our child, too. If we do not support him now, what can we expect from him tomorrow?”

Very quickly we arrived at an electrician’s shop. It was easy for him to list all the items he needed – soldering iron, voltage tester, terminals, wire cutters, multimetre, insulating tape… and a nice toolbox for his first tools. The tools he can use to start working, applying his craft, and earning a living. You cannot imagine how happy and proud he was, at the same time. Happy to receive his tools, and proud of all the knowledge and skill he carries within himself. We were even prouder of him and the people who helped him. (…)

The text in its entirety can be found on the Social Inclusion Blog.