 Children's Joy NGO Kindergarten
The Decja Radost or Children's Joy NGO in Zajecar opened in 2000. It's mission is to encourage the integration of children from a variety of background while at the same time, facilitating understanding and dialogue between the various groups.
Since opening its doors, 1,266 children up to the age of 10 years old have attended Decja Radost programs. Supervised by Anita Jankovic colleagues, the children include Roma, Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), special needs and marginalized groups. They are encouraged to play and participate in activities together.
 Decja Radost's playroom is, in fact, the only kindergarten in Zajecar which does not charge fees. For the families of Bojan, Alesandar, Dijana, Rados, Nikola, Dimitrije and Ugljesa, it offers them a unique chance of getting together with children of their own ages from different backgrounds.
The NGO received UMCOR funding for the project, entitled 'Reintegration of Refugees and Displaced Children,' as part of the 'Strengthening Civil Society' Program. The goal of the three month project was the reintegration of refugees and displaced children into a broader social surrounding. The project focused on the education of the teachers and assistants with regard to non-violent communication,  introducing the children to the importance of social communication and encouraging the integration of refugees and displaced children into a broader social context. It also promoted voluntary work undertaken by young people. Through the project activities, the educators themselves were trained so as to enable them to conduct workshops for the pupils of primary schools on the aforementioned topics, also including printing and distribution of brochures and training for young volunteers.
Updated August 2003
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