New beginning for village schools after earthquake thanks to AgroInvest

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In a small village school in Obrva near Kraljevo in central Serbia, almost two months after a strong earthquake, the voices of happy children playing are heard between classes. Even though the school was not completely destroyed, it was so seriously damaged in the earthquake in early November 2010 that it was only a matter of time before the walls and roof collapsed. World Vision, through its microfinance subsidiary AgroInvest, provided extensive construction works and made the school building safe again. This was only one of five projects AgroInvest implemented to improve education for some 402 children in Kraljevo villages. However, there are more village schools in dire need of construction works so that local children, particularly in rural areas, can continue their education. Primary school Dragan Đoković Uča, in the village Obrva, which accommodates 29 students in grades 1-4, was closed for weeks after the earthquake. The reason was lack of safety inside the building due to material destruction caused by the quake. 'A few weeks after the earthquake, since we didn't have any funds for construction works, and didn't want children to miss classes, we started using classrooms in another village, miles away', says school teacher Srecko Gocobija. However, this solution was impractical and required costly transportation every day. It was only a temporary solution so that children would not miss many classes. Due to their rural locations, schools in small rural communities can easily slip down the priority list for renovations. However, for AgroInvest, schools and children in villages were paramount. Following World Vision's rapid response in disaster-struck areas, AgroInvest helped schools and children in rural areas of Kraljevo by implementing five different projects amounting to US$17,820 to date. Rural schools in three villages have been renovated, while in one school learning materials and equipment that was damaged in the quake has been replaced. AgroInvest also prepared Christmas packages for 30 most vulnerable children and their families, with new winter jackets and shoes for 30 children, and packages with food and hygiene items for the ten most vulnerable families. These five projects were implemented in close consultations with community representatives and construction experts and impacted lives and improved conditions for education for 402 children. Thanks to World Vision and AgroInvest, the school in Obrva opened its door for students again. 'It was a problem funding the construction works because our school was not a priority compared to other schools in Kraljevo. If it wasn't for AgroInvest our school would probably never open again', says school director Zvonko Ljubisavljevic. 'It is amazing how they managed to support the old building with these metal trusses. It looks much steadier than before', says Srecko, a village teacher who has been teaching in this school for more than ten years. Construction works on this school building, totalling US$4,384 consisted of renovation of all ceilings and supporting all wall conjunctions with metal trusses, which basically gave the building a new strong metal skeleton. Now the building can withstand even stronger quakes than the one that hit in November. Before the school opened its doors again on 22 December 2010, parents and other villagers volunteered in cleaning and painting the classrooms. This project, like the other four, is a really good example of a social project where the community gives its contribution through voluntary work. "We tried to help as many schools as possible. World Vision and AgroInvest basically prioritised providing construction works that would enable schools to reopen classrooms. However, there are many other things that need to be done, like cleaning, painting, etc', says Marija Cvetanoski, AgroInvest's Social Programmes Director. A small village school with two classrooms and 29 students in Obrva village near Kraljevo is back on track, now safer than ever before. 'I am happy to go to my school again. I love my school', says nine-year-old Ivan who likes math and drawing. 'The biggest happiness comes from the fact that these children are really good students and they are all well behaved. Above all, they are good young people', says director Zvonko Ljubisavljevic. An old Serbian saying goes, 'good always returns with good.' Maybe these children will help others when they grow up, and if we do our very best for these children, we will ensure a better future for all of us and for our communities. By leading by example, we can teach our children to continue that legacy. -Ends-