Help People with Intellectual Disabilities -Serbia

One of our newest beneficiaries has been embraced by two new families since joining KEC. In the coming months Aleksa will finish a state run school for people with special needs. When he completes this formal educational institution he will have training to be a bookbinder. As you can imagine, that is not the most sought after skill on the labor market. Considering that there are no jobs in this field, once he finishes school he will no longer have a place to spend his days, no regular contact with people outside his home and family and no additional educational services. In anticipation of this enormous life change his family came to KEC. 

Upon coming to KEC Aleksa quickly made friends and has started to participate in KEC’s programming. In the process of getting to know him and his family KEC learned that he likes to sing and has musical training. Since he was young his devoted grandmother, Ljilijana, has taken him with her to concerts and the theater and she taught him to play the piano and sing. Until now these were skills and experiences he shared with his grandmother, mother, father and three sisters. KEC has changed all of that for him and his family. 

KEC’s mission is to integrate our beneficiaries into the broader society. We strive for our beneficiaries to see themselves as part of the world around them and for the society at large to accept them as their own. To achieve this we take every opportunity to create shared experiences. Creating such moments was behind KEC's motivation to let the Belgrade Evergreen Singers use our space for rehearsals in the evenings. In addition to supporting the cultural activities of our city, we hoped that the members of the choir would take an interest in KEC and its beneficiaries. This informal relationship has unexpectedly turned life changing for Aleksa. 

When the KEC staff heard about Aleksa’s interest in music we approached Djordje Perovic, the choir’s conductor, to see if there was a way for Aleksa to enjoy their music. When the conductor met Aleksa he decided to invite him to audition and Aleksa has been on the stage with the Belgrade Evergreen Singers ever since. Imagine Ljiljana’s joy watching her grandson on the stage performing with the Belgrade Evergreen Singers. 

For many attendees of state run special schools when their educational opportunities come to an end the doors close in tight around them. They spend their days at home with little chance to grow and contribute. Finding KEC means that Aleksa is spared this experience. Instead, he has been embraced by two new families, KEC and the Belgrade Evergreen Singers. 

We can’t wait to see how else Aleksa’s life will be enhanced by being part of the KEC. With your continued support we will keep our doors wide open so that Aleksa and others can find their way to new opportunities for growth and friendship.