Every year in mid-October in Croatia we celebrate the Days of Bread and thanksgiving for the fruits of the earth. Bread days are closely related to World Food Day (October 16), which has been celebrated since 1979 to raise public awareness of the problem of unbalanced food distribution in the world and the need to fight hunger.
Last Friday (18.10.2024.) IKS staff and volunteers took part in preparing food for the manifestation and celebration of the ”Dani kruha” with our friends and beneficiaries from Klub Žabice – Udruga Osit Grada Siska.
We had a wonderful day working alongside Klub Žabica, an association dedicated to supporting individuals with mental and physical disabilities. Typically, we organize activities with and for them that promote essential skills for daily living and autonomy, creativity and solidarity. Today, we, our international volunteers, Chloé and Samuel, with Melita, our mentor who is also an occupational therapist, went there to create something special for the Day of Bread.
In the morning, we gathered in Klub Žabica with the beneficiaries to prepare a variety of dishes, including pumpkin bread, and savory cheese cookies. It was heartwarming to see everyone actively participating in the cooking process. Together, they showcased incredible teamwork, with laughter and camaraderie filling the air. The aroma of the food being prepared was delightful, and by the end of the morning, we had created a feast that was not only delicious but also a source of pride for everyone involved.
As the afternoon approached. We set up our stand, where we gathered donations for the Udruga Osit Grada Siska with the dishes we had prepared, alongside with sweets baked by the mothers and families of the beneficiaries. Their contributions added a personal touch to our offerings, and the treats were a hit among the visitors.
Best part of the day was the experience of being at the market. Engaging with local community members, and exchanging smiles created a warm and welcoming environment. The afternoon was filled with happiness and laughter, all while being surrounded by the enchanting sounds of folklore music and dances performed by local kindergartens and schools. This cultural celebration truly brought the community together.
Overall, our participation in Dani Kruha was a fulfilling experience that reinforced our commitment to inclusivity and collaboration. We are grateful for the opportunity to work with Zabica Klub and to celebrate the rich traditions of our community.
-Samuel,27, ESC volunteer
*Hrvatski:_____________________
Svakog listopada sredinom mjeseca u Hrvatskoj obilježavamo Dane kruha i zahvalnosti za plodove zemlje. Dani kruha su usko povezani sa Svjetskim danom hrane (16. listopada), koji se od 1979. obilježava s ciljem podizanja svijesti javnosti o problemu neravnomjerne raspodjele hrane u svijetu i potrebi borbe protiv gladi.
Prošli petak (18.10.2024.) osoblje i volonteri IKS-a sudjelovali su u pripremi hrane za manifestaciju i proslavu “Dana kruha” zajedno s našim prijateljima i korisnicima iz Kluba Žabica – Udruge Osit Grada Siska.
Proveli smo prekrasan dan radeći zajedno s Klubom Žabica, udrugom posvećenom podršci osobama s intelektualnim i tjelesnim teškoćama. Obično organiziramo aktivnosti s njima i za njih koje promiču ključne vještine za svakodnevni život i samostalnost, kreativnost i solidarnost. Danas smo mi, međunarodni volonteri, Chloé i Samuel, s Melitom, našom mentoricom koja je također radna terapeutkinja, otišli tamo kako bismo stvorili nešto posebno za Dane kruha.
Ujutro smo se okupili u Klubu Žabica s korisnicima kako bismo pripremili razna jela, uključujući kruh od bundeve i slane kolačiće sa sirom. Bilo je dirljivo vidjeti kako svi aktivno sudjeluju u procesu kuhanja. Zajedno su pokazali nevjerojatan timski rad, a prostorijom se širio smijeh i drugarstvo. Miris pripremljene hrane bio je predivan, a do kraja jutra stvorili smo gozbu koja je bila ne samo ukusna, već i izvor ponosa za sve uključene.
Kako se bližilo popodne, postavili smo naš štand na kojem smo prikupljali donacije za Udrugu Osit Grada Siska s jelima koja smo pripremili, zajedno s kolačima koje su ispekle majke i obitelji korisnika. Njihov doprinos dao je osobnu notu našoj ponudi, a slastice su bile pravi hit među posjetiteljima.
Najljepši dio dana bilo je iskustvo na tržnici. Druženje s članovima lokalne zajednice i izmjena osmijeha stvorili su toplu i gostoljubivu atmosferu. Popodne je bilo ispunjeno radošću i smijehom, uz očaravajuće zvuke folklorne glazbe i plesova koje su izvodili lokalni vrtići i škole. Ovo kulturno slavlje zaista je ujedinilo zajednicu.
Sve u svemu, naše sudjelovanje na Danima kruha bilo je ispunjavajuće iskustvo koje je dodatno učvrstilo našu predanost inkluziji i suradnji. Zahvalni smo na prilici da radimo s Klubom Žabica i da slavimo bogate tradicije naše zajednice.
The content of the article is the sole responsibility of Association IKS.
Sadržaj članka isključiva je odgovornost Udruge IKS.