This social project was developed in order to address the difficulties that adolescents who live in foster-care institutions in Croatia face when finishing school and transitioning from life in the institution into adult-life, where they will have to find a work-place in order to provide for themselves and their families (as some of the adolescents already have their own children). Besides other numerous struggles that are specific to this group of adolescents, we have agreed on „employability“ as a topic where they have potential for improvement and need empowerment in order to take actions, at the same time we felt competent enough to give them some useful advice and tips and tricks they can easily remember and apply in the future.
The project was implemented in a foster care institution in Zagreb, Croatia. During two 2-hour workshops six girls aged 14-17 (mostly high-school students) who are at the moment living in the institution reflected on their dreams and plans for the future, discussed between themselves what are the characteristics of a good employee and learned about the characteristics of a good CV. Our project raised interest in another member of Outward Bound Croatia, so Suzana Živković additionally joined us as a volunteer during those two days. As a volunteer for whom this was the first time to work with foster care youth, it was a very interesting and definitely challenging experience for myself. When preparing the work-shops I hadn't met the girls before and therefore was only guessing what the right level of appropriateness of the workshop would be. When we started it I very soon understood I overestimated my own skills of keeping the group's interest and concentration high as well as the level of understanding that was needed for the presentation I had prepared as it was harder than expected for me to take their perspective. Luckily, Marija who is working in the institution and was acquainted with the girls’ backgrounds and characters easily improvised in order to maintain their interest in the workshop. |
In the first day of our visit we were shown around the building, the girls’ common area and their rooms. They presented themselves to us, told us about the schools they go to and what they do in their leisure time. We presented Outward Bound Croatia to them, as we have been working together with their institution before and are currently implementing another project in order to take more of their youngsters on Outward Bound programs. The girls were very excited about it and several of them expressed the wish to participate in them.
The main activity that day was called “River of life” where the participants draw a river on a piece of paper with the riverhead representing their birth and different natural elements important events in their lives. As the river is always flowing on and never going backwards the participants are encouraged as well to imagine their future and what they would like it to look like, in this case focusing on their professional life. Everyone can share their painting and thoughts with the others.
The main activity that day was called “River of life” where the participants draw a river on a piece of paper with the riverhead representing their birth and different natural elements important events in their lives. As the river is always flowing on and never going backwards the participants are encouraged as well to imagine their future and what they would like it to look like, in this case focusing on their professional life. Everyone can share their painting and thoughts with the others.
At the end of the first day we discussed internships and volunteering with the participants and as the girls are used to volunteers who help out in the institution (mainly with home-work and leisure activities) they showed a lot of interest and had questions about volunteering themselves.
Three days later we held the second workshop where we were talking about characteristics that a good employee needs to have. The girls discussed it and came up with a list. The second step was to tell each other which characteristics the other one already possesses in order to make them feel empowered and at the same time make a list of good qualities that they will be able to use in future to write a cover letter. In the second part of the workshop the participants individually searched the Internet for good examples of CV-s and discovered the europass tool and how to use it. One girl already managed to fill in her europass CV during the workshop.
Three days later we held the second workshop where we were talking about characteristics that a good employee needs to have. The girls discussed it and came up with a list. The second step was to tell each other which characteristics the other one already possesses in order to make them feel empowered and at the same time make a list of good qualities that they will be able to use in future to write a cover letter. In the second part of the workshop the participants individually searched the Internet for good examples of CV-s and discovered the europass tool and how to use it. One girl already managed to fill in her europass CV during the workshop.
To conclude, one can definitely say that the experience of this project was enriching and at the same time awakening to all of us. In one way it made us aware of how many struggles this specific group of teenagers faces in its everyday life on top of the challenge of just being a teenager and transitioning into adult-life. At the same time, we understood that any support one can give is welcome, although results might not be visible to easily and progress is slow. Our volunteer Suzana decided she would continue helping out regularly in the institution. To the participants, it has offered some new ideas and questions that they will think about and hopefully be able to apply successfully in future situations.
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