Volunteering At The Association Maslačak by Let's Think Sustainably

I always felt sad for a friend who went to pree-school with us. Everyone always rejected him and that motivated me to volunteer in Maslačak association. Those were the words by Gabriel Kurpez, 6th-grade student from elementary school Sveti Petar Orehovec. With three classmates he volunteered in Maslačak association for people with intellectual difficulties on the 26th of November.
Students made advent wreaths with association members. Gabriel worked with 21-years old Josip. Gabriel told us about how it went.
We worked nicely together and we did everything as he wished because I wanted him to feel good.

Student Barbara Dvečko also volunteered in Association for people with intellectual difficulties. I have worked with Petra who is 28 years old. She was very happy while we were making advent wreaths together.
Nika Šantić was paired with Dajana. Dajana understands everything, but she has some problems with speaking, Nika told us. Nika also said that Dajana is an excellent player of game memory. After finishing their wreath, they played a few rounds of the game. We played memory and she won - Nika told us.

Lucija Vukoić has also spent her time volunteering in association Maslačak. She made an advent wreath with Alen. Alen told me that he has a sister and he likes to do puzzles. Alen also told her that he is 32 years old and he likes coming to the association.
While volunteering in the Maslačak association our students realized how important are associations like Maslačak for people with intellectual difficulties. We heard more about why are associations like these important by the president of the association Tamara Premuš.

We are mainly focused on people older than 21 years. - Our association gathers members older than 21 years. After they finish education in the Centre for rehabilitation they have nowhere to go. They have no opportunity to continue education, but also, they can't work and they are left only to their families. If they would not come to the association they would spend all of their time at home and they would be somehow estranged and not involved with the community like they are now.
President Tamara Premuš also mentioned that Association Maslačak works for 31 years now. This association is supporting children with development difficulties, people with intellectual difficulties, and their parents. She also added why is it important for volunteers to come to their association.
Well, it is important for them to see what we do here, to see the people with whom we work. Some people have never spent time with people who have intellectual disabilities. It is important for volunteers to see what our members can do. It is also important to realize that people with intellectual difficulties are equal members of society. Volunteering also enriches the volunteer himself and all the volunteers are welcome.
That they were also well received in Maslačak association told us our volunteers Barbara, Gabrijel, Nika, and Lucija. They are people just like us and they like to socialize - Nika told us. It is important to spend time with people like them because it means a lot to them - Gabrijel told us. He also added that he also felt good because he did something productive.
Our volunteers noticed that Maslačak members love music so Gabrijel and Nika have made a promise that next time they will organize a gathering with music. Namely, those two volunteers go to the music school and play tambourine and piano so they will prepare a small concert for Maslačak members in the spring.
The radio show about volunteering in the Association Maslačak was prepared by members of radio group from elementary school Sveti Petar Orehovec - Petra Kušec and Amadea Bošnjak. Mentor Stojanka Lesički