Workshops on building psychological resistance in children during a pandemic were conducted with one hundred students from ten elementary schools in Bugojno, Busovača, Fojnica, Jajce and Divičani through the project “Bridges of Trust and Cooperation” implemented by the Humanitarian organization “Genesis Project”, with support of Canada through the Canadian Fund for Local Initiatives. A manual for students, school staff and parents called “Monsters in my backpack” was created and published, outlining the methodology and workshops used throughout the project.
In groups of 20, students participated in workshops sitting in the same classroom, although otherwise they attend classes separately in two schools under one roof. “These workshops were great, with phenomenal topics. I met new friends from the other school, and the only thing I’m sorry about is that we are not able to see you (facilitators) in person”, stated one project participant. His peer emphasized how workshops were encouraging and filled with positive atmosphere, allowing her to understand what it’s like to be in someone else’s shoes.
“Together we handled monsters in ours backpacks that are a metaphor for anxiety , fear, worry and all other unpleasant states which a pandemic could provoke in children and people around the world today. We spoke about empathy, cooperation, how to cope with anxiety, emotions and helping peers overcome these difficulties”, explains Lana Lugonja, the project coordinator.
Students’ testimonials confirm how these workshops were interesting and well-received. “During online workshops, I felt I did very well because those topics were right for me. I used to have a problem with anxiety and depression, but now I am better thanks to these workshops. Genesis has interesting ways to work with children of our age. In the beginning, we were a bit uncomfortable because we didn’t know each other, but now we are okay. I really hope we will have more workshops like this to learn together and spend time together“, wrote one student as a sign of gratitude to the whole team.
Educators and other school staff expressed great pleasure with activities, wishing that more children could be included in them in the future. “Special efforts were made by facilitators regardless of pandemic-related circumstances as they worked with students online and made workshops interesting”, said the pedagogue Vesna Ljubičić from elementary school “Busovaca”. She emphasized the innovative, different approach in working with students, with interesting content adapted to the age of these children.
The manual “Monsters in my backpack” was written and published during this project and continues to serve as permanent contribution to schools in developing psychological resistance in children during and after the COVID 19 pandemic. In the manual, there are workshops presented together with additional techniques for teachers and school staff to use in working with children. The manual reviews topics such as consequences of the pandemic and building psychological resilience – “New US”, techniques for working with children after their return to school – “We are not moving on from where we stopped!” and workshop outlines on psychological resistance for children. Suggestions on adjusting these activities to the online mode are also included.
All activities of the project “Bridges of Trust and Cooperation” are supported by the Ministry of Education, Science, Youth, Culture and Sports of Central Bosnia Canton, and it involves primary schools:
- “Berta Kučera” and “13. Rujan” in Jajcu,
- “Busovača” and “Kaćuni” in Busovača,
- “Jajce” in Kruščica and “Braća Jezerčić” in Divičani,
- “Muhsin Rizvić” and “Ivan Goran Kovačić” in Fojnica and
- Prva osnovna škola Bugojno and Treća osnovna škola Bugojno.
The project “Bridges of Trust and Cooperation: Building Post-COVID Resilience in Children in Central Bosnia Canton as a Tool for Building Security and Trust” is implemented with the support of Canada through the Canadian Local Initiatives Fund.
