Скопје, Петок, 07-Jan-03

ORPHANAGE "11 OKTOMVRI" - SKOPJЕ • MACEDONIA

Patronage

Project by: KC Skopje & KC Vardar – Skopje, Macedonia

Article by: Ognen Stamatoski

Activities period: year 1997 - 2002

Providing our next-door orphans

a better place to live

Many natural causes have a deteriorating impact on humans and their living standard. Many natural catastrophes have hit Skopje in the past, ruining and demolishing the living assets; earthquakes (mainly), floods, fires, wars, conflicts, etc. leaving nothing behind but rubble and making people suffer, predominantly – the children. One of them was the devastating earthquake in Skopje back in 1993, which, with its destructive power, left homeless many people, young and old, from any religion and ethnic background. There was no shelter for thousands of children. However, with the friendly assistance from the International community, many wounds were cured; many children lives saved and shelters provided.

It is sad to say also that human negligence, incompetence, parental incapability, administrative and political bureaucracy, as well as lack of good will, were some of those unnatural causes that made many helpless people, a lot of innocent babies and children, without proper and decent homes and living condition.

Looking and analyzing the both above cases, the result is same: people suffer! And, predominantly, the young and helpless children! Macedonia is no exception to that.

This is one of those examples, a story of how the human factor could hit the hearts of our children, ruining a building and turn it into ruble; an important social institution that provides shelter to the helpless, to those in need, a home of nearly 150 orphans, was totally neglected,  not maintained, not serviced for quite some period.

A relatively modern Orphanage home built in late sixties, being under the social protection programme by the Government and its Ministry of Social works, received its first orphans in 1971. However, due to many human reasons, social, political and economic factors, though beyond logic and human understanding, has left the Institution in such a poor shape, in a shameful bed condition. That was the reason why, immediately after the creation of our first Kiwanis Club in Macedonia, the KC Skopje in 1996, we decided to take up the orphanage under our patronage as some immediate action was needed; many activities were to be taken.

So, among the entire club activities and projects planned and initiated, our first priority was to focus and take all the steps needed into the revitalization of this Orphanage. A club committee was established and a working team of three men created in order to evaluate the current condition of the whole institution; kid’s living standard, the building and its structure, the interior, etc. to prepare a feasibility study containing assessment of deterioration, scale of urgent needs and make proposal with suggestions to what was to be done first, a priority list and time-frame. The members of the club, through their own sources, both individual and business wise, as well as with assistance obtained through other local companies, institutions and individuals, got into action and from the beginning of 1997 the process of renovation, reconstruction and building improvement started.

Slowly, but with a steady pace, many things were undergone improvement. We stared with the most critical phase: a complete change of the worst deteriorated parts of the installation. Our first activity was to get into action in order to stop the leakages and have most of the water pipelines changed. The next step was to find the source of other smelly leakages, the broken and destroyed sewerage pipes and have them replaced, too. In that action, we restored the whole 100% of the task given covering nearly 90% of the sewerage installation of the building. To finish with the installation works, we restored nearly 50% of the building electrical and central-heating installation.

Having solved the causes of the general deterioration of the building, our next step was to do all the activities needed to refurbish and redecorate all of the rooms in all 9 (nine) families: old floors were removed and changed with wooden parquet and carpets, where appropriate; floor and wall tiles in the sanitary blocks were replaced, paintings done and other interior works completed. We did manage to replace some of the old wooden windows and doors and urged others (individuals and organizations) to do so, also. Now, most of the windows and doors in the building are renewed.

Having completed most of the “dirty” construction, concrete, masonry and plastering works, we were now able to move in, start with the interior works, renovating the bedrooms, kitchen/restaurant and other general purpose rooms. With the assistance of German donors, as well as with the assistance of few local companies (NEOKOM – Mr. Dame Cvetkovski, SCANDIA – Mr. Ognen Stamatoski, SIKOM – Mr. Miroslav Sipovic) we were able to introduce the first set of some 20 second-hand computers and have them wired into a local network. In the next few years, with other donations, a new modern and sophisticated IT room was created containing up-to-date computers and software.

Obviously, that is only a part of what we have done in the past, what we do currently and what our permanent goal is. We should emphasize that at numerous occasions we donated a library of books, manuals, magazines and other teaching needs, tools and equipment. At many times we collected and donated clothes, materials, foods and other daily living accessories. We have taken the kids to cinemas, theatres, exhibitions and other events, to Christmas and Eastern festives trying to have them fully socialized with the community. Also, at several occasions we organized trips to our tourist resorts, Krushevo, Saraj, Dojran and have kids with our families for a day or all over weekend.

Currently, the second Kiwanis Club – Vardar from Skopje has a permanent project of giving every Saturday free English course classes to various kids groups with the support (teachers and lecturers) from the “St George’s School” for foreign languages from Skopje and its manager and KC member, Mr. Darko Velkov.

With the assistance of KFOR, from NATO, we have been planning a construction of a decent Car-Wash asset within the boundaries of the orphanage property. The kids should benefit in many ways: reduce their impropriate free time, have a permanent business-like activity, earn some money and use them for their personal and general orphanages activities, hobbies and needs. Currently, we are awaiting local government permission and license to start the construction activities.

We are proud to have done so much with these complex activities, a fine Project that is in favor of the children in need – our orphans; not only that we managed to collect monies, materials, equipment and workforce of over 1,0 mil us$, but that Kiwanis was the initiator of similar activities organized and completed by others.

And at the end, here we would like to pay our respect for the assistance of many other companies and donors, like: TRESKA, ADING, INSTALATER, ALMAKO, BETON, OHIS, ALKALOID, BOMAK, McDonalds, the members of the club committee, the tireless leader of the team, our Past President Mr. Dimitar Nikolovski and all other members of the club, as well as all our other good friends who helped us in completing this noble mission, to all of whom we are very grateful. In addition, we have to emphasize that WE did it ourselves, with no particular assistance from other Kiwanis Clubs around Europe and the World.

We, the Kiwanians of Macedonia, have been and will be permanently in the service of the hearts of our children – our brighter future.

Some key facts about the Orphanage “11 Oktomvri” in Skopje, Macedonia:

Orphanage built:

Orphans admitted:

Capacity:

1968 – 1971

1971

144 orphans, both male and female

• currently: 102 children

Age groups:

Ethnic background:

Religious background:

from 3 to 18 years (there is a provision of additional 6 months for those in need and are over 18 years of age)

no restriction

no restriction

Structure:

9 families @ 16 children, containing:

• 4/4 bed bedrooms: 2 for girls and 2 for boys

• 1 large living/hobby room

• 1 set of toilets and bathroom

Joint premises:

• Full capacity kitchen and restaurant

• Large multi purpose room

• Computer center

• Sports courts (basketball, handball, etc.)

• Kinder playground

• General hobby/club rooms (2: photo and wood carving)

Experts team:

• 9 supervisors/teachers

• 1 pedagogy advisor

• 1 psychology advisor

• 1 social worker

• 1 general animator: sports, excursions, hobby, etc.

Administration:

Current condition:

Director and appropriate administrative staff

(a) building and rooms:    average/good (could be improved)

(b) hobby rooms:             poor

(c) other facilities:            need attention

(d) computer room:         excellent

Current problem:

For the past three (3) years there has not been a permanent  and a steady flow of new orphans due to a new and somewhat  senseless social policy and rather inappropriate government activities, undertakings and dubious programmes, leading to a reduction of the number of kids, from 144 to 102 only!?  

In Skopje,

August, 2002