Organization from Bosnia and Herzegovina
Association “Sunce”
Association “Sunce” is a non-governmental organization of regional character (the region is Herzegovina), established in 1998. It operates as a voluntary, non-political, non-governmental, multiethnic organization of persons with disabilities. Currently, “Sunce” has 90 registered users – individuals with intellectual and combined disabilities, of different diagnoses, gender and ages.
Mission
The organization’s mission is advocating and improving the quality of life for individuals with intellectual and combined disabilities in healthcare, social protection, education, rehabilitation, vocational training, employment, as well as raising awareness among citizens about these individuals.
About
The most significant social services provided by the association to users, which are not systematically addressed, are:
- “Daily Center” for individuals with intellectual and combined disabilities (ICD) in its premises, offering socialization, education, rehabilitation, vocational training, and personal empowerment.
- “Living in the Local Community for ICD” – for almost 13 years there is one residential community with one user living there independently, with minimal support, at the moment. As the user’s income is insufficient to cover housing costs (rent, utilities, food, clothing, hygiene, heating), the association has taken on the responsibility of sourcing funds for these expenses (which has become an almost impossible mission, at times like these).
The association advocates for the complete social inclusion of ICD individuals, aiming for their participation in all aspects of life, equal opportunities, and their status as responsible citizens in line with the applicable UN Conventions on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (PRPD). All of this should be systematically resolved and regulated by law.
Additionally, the association works on the professional rehabilitation, empowerment, enhancement of skills of individuals with disabilities through various forms of education, and ultimately, the employment of young people with disabilities.
Psychological support, in collaboration with a psychologists’ association, is provided to children and persons with disabilities, as well as to their families, particularly mothers, who bear the majority of the responsibility for the upbringing and care of the child. The fact is that most mothers are unemployed, lacking the opportunity to work due to the 24-hour care of the child. They lack sufficient time for themselves, essentially subordinating themselves to the family and child, leading to long-term psychosomatic illnesses due to stress and concerns. Hence, we try to provide preventive measures; because the greatest support to a family is empowering their child, enable their independence to function with support, and find employment. This way, parents will be less burdened, having more time to dedicate to themselves and their health. Furthermore, parents have the opportunity to educate themselves or to broaden their knowledge and skills, and potentially find employment.
In order to develop remaining abilities, fine motor skills, and to raise funds, creative workshops are organized where ideas are realized into beautiful and unique products!
Through educational workshops, involvement in social life is encouraged, competencies are strengthened, self-confidence and self-esteem are built, and lobbying is conducted to enforce the rights guaranteed by the UN Convention.
To carry out these activities, the association secures funds through projects with the support of donors and kind-hearted individuals because there is no stable source of funding.
Contact Us
- Phone Number
+387 36 577 707
- Emails
sunce.mostar@yahoo.com
- Website
Equality For All is a network of organizations from the Western Balkans region that provides support to people with special needs and difficulties in development in each of the countries in the region, as well as in the region as a whole.