First ecological park opened in Vranje

The first ecological park was ceremoniously opened today in the yard of the “Čarolija” kindergarten in Vranje, thanks to the initiative of the Commissariat for Refugees and Migration (KIRS) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

So far, 15 children from the migrant population accommodated in the Vranje Reception Center have had the opportunity to stay in the “Charolija” kindergarten. That is why a unique place was created in this kindergarten for the youngest to enjoy and play, and the “magic” is in the fact that citizens, parents of children and all people who wanted to help their community were involved in arranging this ecological park.

The action was supported by 30 parents of children attending kindergarten, 20 children, 24 parents and eight children from the migrant population who were accommodated in the Vranje Reception Center, neighbors, companies and individuals from the community, as well as other organizations present in this Center. More than 500 volunteer hours were invested in the construction of the park.

The ecological park, the first of its kind in Vranje, will enable children to be more in touch with nature, to learn through play, to socialize and develop in a healthy way.

“By staying in the kindergarten, migrant children were given the opportunity to get involved in formal education, to connect with their peers from Vranje, to overcome language barriers and cultural barriers, to acquire some knowledge and skills that will be necessary for them to live and cope in modern times society”, said Milica Jovanović Anđelković, regional coordinator of the IOM mobile team in the south of Serbia.