By providing valuable school packages, LEONI Serbia once again helped make the first school steps of employees’ children and children from local communities a little more special
Smiles, curious looks and eager anticipation of what was inside each package marked this year’s distribution of school supplies at LEONI Serbia. The children peered into their new backpacks, carefully examined the school supplies and proudly tried everything out, as if they had already stepped into their first classroom. For around 250 children of employees in Prokuplje, Niš and Kraljevo, the new backpacks and school supplies were an important part of preparing for a major milestone – starting first grade.
LEONI Serbia organises this initiative every year, providing support to employees and their families ahead of the new school year. This year’s packages included quality school supplies and ergonomic backpacks, which the children received with great excitement.
“I can’t wait to start school. There will be eight of us starting first grade, and I’m most looking forward to meeting new friends because there are no children near our house for me to play with,” Sara, from a village near Kraljevo, told us. As she explains, mathematics was her favourite subject in preschool, but she is looking forward to learning about everything new.
Sara’s mother, Veselinka Obradović, has been working at LEONI in Kraljevo for five and a half years. For her, the school supplies are valuable not only because of the joy they bring, but also because they provide practical support to the family.
“This gift means a lot to us. We have had many wonderful moments at LEONI. Sara always looks forward to receiving the New Year’s gifts, and now she has received a backpack as well. She is very proud.”
Viktor is also looking forward to starting school. He will attend the same school as his older brother, which their father also attended years ago.
“Preschool was great. I liked learning about animals the most, and I’m looking forward to starting first grade. The backpack is great,” Viktor says.
His mother, Marijana Bojović, points out that the school package is a significant help for the family budget.
“It is also important for our family that at LEONI we know exactly when our salaries will be paid, which gives us a secure income. That means a lot to us.”
In addition to supporting employees’ children, LEONI Serbia once again organised its traditional humanitarian distribution of school packages for first graders from local communities. Children in Prokuplje, Niš and Kraljevo who attend schools in remote villages or face health-related or financial difficulties received backpacks and school supplies.
The packages were distributed to children from a range of educational and local settings, including special-needs and rural schools, schools located near LEONI’s plants, first graders from the mountainous area around Ušće, and children supported through the SOS Children’s Villages programme.
We wished all the first graders a happy start to their school journey, filled with curiosity, learning and new friendships.
Contact
Radmila Vesković
Expert Communications Serbia
