Daily activities within the OZANA humanitarian organization for persons in need in the city of Zagreb

  OZANA OZANA is a non-profit organization for persons in need in Croatia's capital Zagreb, founded in 1991. upon the initiative of Miss Katica Radonić, who worked in the Camphill, in Scotland, and wanted to share her great experience in her native city. OZANA was founded with the mission to enhance the quality of lives of children and young persons with developmental difficulties, as well as of their families. In those turbulent times, supporting the idea of Katica Radonić, Slobodan Lang helped us in finding the working space for OZANA. OZANA is situated in Zagreb, Ulica grada Vukovara 239. The name of OZANA was inspired after a Holly virgin Ozana Kotorska, who carried out humanitarian work during the 16th century. In 2002, the Association OZANA has founded Daily Centre for rehabilitation and occupational activities – Centre OZANA. We are offering half-day program for 10 children with disabilities, as well as for 40 young people and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (10 of them are financed by the Ministry of social policy and youth, through 3-years program). Fourteen employees are taking care for both programs. Our work on both programs is based on Waldorf principles, which nourish creativity, movement and experience as the basis of every learning and developing of the human being. It is adjusted to specific needs of each of our protĂŠgĂŠs, depending on their age, type and severity of disability. In ambience of joy and optimism, through carefully designed and guided activities, we nurture growth, self-expression, conversations and group participation leading to individuals who may more fully unfold their potential, and more fully and meaning fully participate in life. In that respect the activities are organised through different workshops, using mostly natural materials: handy work: embroidery, knitting, crocheting, weaving, sawing, doll and toy making, machine sawing, felt making, pottery workshop and wood decorating, painting and art therapy, drama workshop, dancing, sports (swimming),  workshop for developing skills for independent living and competences, and integration in every-day life as: taking care for oneself, taking care for the working place, botanical workshop, gardening, social activities  which are developing socialisation and integration: birthday celebrations, special events, participating in the cultural and social life of the city through visiting museums, attending exhibitions, concerts, theatres; outing in nature, summer holidays, hosting neighbours through the activity of "Štrikeraj cafe", teaching school children in the activities of felt making.     Activities are constantly presented through media. Among many we mention the presentation of our dancing workshop on Chinese television. We cooperate with numerous institutions and persons: Centres for social care, University of Zagreb (Faculty of Education and rehabilitation science, Faculty of Social work, Faculty of Textile Technology), Teaching Institute of Public Health Dr. Andrija Štampar, primary schools, kindergartens, museums, galleries, libraries and other institutions and people. Biserka Draganić, the current president of the Society of Friends of the Glagolitic Script, Zagreb, established a very nice cooperation with the OZANA Association. A very special cooperation is cherished with the Society of Friends of the Glagolitic Script (Društvo prijatelja glagoljice), namely with Biserka Draganić, its current president. Our program is in part financed by the Ministry of Social Policy and Youth of the Republic of Croatia and in part by the City Administration for Education, Culture and Sports. In order to maintain good quality continuation of the program, we need to participate in many projects, asking for sponsorships and donations. Donation of Mrs Salma Ansari, representing the Embassy of India in Zagreb, 2010. On the left Mira Kliček of OZANA. One of our foreign donors was Indian Embassy, namely Mrs Salma Ansari, wife of the Vice President of India and Mrs Kiran Singh, a wife of Ambassador of India in the Republic of Croatia, who donated to OZANA two big looms and five sewing machines. Our plan for the future is to start living community for those of our protĂŠgĂŠs who will remain alone, without their parents, in order to insure dignified life for all of them. Zagreb, 2nd December 2016.                                        Vjera Lukavečki Manager of OZANA Vjera Lukavečki, manager of OZANA, as a guest of Z1 TV in 2015 Contact info: OZANA Zagreb, Ulica grada Vukovara 239 MB: 3680908     OIB: 86710457986 IBAN: HR1223600001101403726 Tel:  +385 1 6152 946,  Fax: +385 1 6114 290 e-mail: ozana.udr@hi.t-com.hr www.udruga-ozana.hr

Mrs Salma Ansari, wife of Ambassador of the Republic of India, was interested in daily activities of OZANA, 2010.

A nice loom, donated by the Republic of India, has been prepared in Croatia by Professor Željko Knezić
(of the University of Zagreb), on the photo with Mira Kliček.

On the left Vjera Lukavečki, director of OZANA.

Formated for CROWN by Darko Žubrinić
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