The goal of the Season of Giving campaign is very close to my heart – a gift of education for every child. It inspires me to donate to the Novak Djokovic Foundation second year in a row. The idea that I have potentially given a chance to a child to feel empowered, makes me feel very honored and touched. It makes me feel good. It just proves to me that any donation can make a difference and that no donation is too small.
Last year, when I saw that the Novak Djokovic Foundation launched its Season of Giving fundraising campaign on Giving Tuesday, I didn’t hesitate to donate one second. Because, I knew for a fact that the money donated to them is going to be used for a great cause and for a topic that is very important to me – education.
I have spent my whole life in school. First of all, of course, as a student, then, as a student-teacher and now, as a qualified teacher. Education is key to any person. Multiple studies show that the child’s brain develops more than at any other time in life, from birth to age 5. If you don’t attend preschool, you might miss out on certain opportunities. I believe it is very important that every child in the world has the opportunity to go to preschool – to be able to learn, make friends and grow in a safe environment.
That’s why when I saw the very worrying statistics that only every other child in Serbia has access to preschool education, I knew that I needed to somehow help change that.
“The money donated to the Novak Djokovic Foundation is going to be used for a great cause and for a topic that is very important to me – education.”
I follow the Foundation, Novak, and Jelena on social media and they regularly share what is done with the money they raise by the support of their donors. I know it’s not wasted and I can see that it changes children’s lives. The Friendship Games camp which they organize every year for children from disadvantaged communities is one great example of that.
It meant a lot to me to see where the money raised in last year’s campaign was invested. I was so proud to see that my donation helped build 2 preschools and that 200 more children in Serbia got a chance to experience such an amazing childhood adventure.
With the money raised in last year’s Season of Giving campaign, the Foundation reconstructed and equipped a preschool in the municipality of Svilajnac. Thanks to all donors who participated, there are now 75 more places for children from this area.
No matter how far I live, I feel blessed to know that somewhere in Serbia, in some small village, lives a child that thanks to my donation now plays, learns and grows in a safe and stimulating environment.
That motivated me to donate to this year’s Season of Giving campaign as well. When I saw the campaign’s video, and that little girl staring through the window alone, I knew that is a real current situation in Serbia, that not many people know about. That’s why I took it upon myself to share it with everyone I know – my friends, family, and colleagues. Because, it is not only about donating, but also about raising awareness about this issue!
With the money raised in last year’s Season of Giving campaign, the Foundation also reconstructed and equipped a preschool in the Macvan Prnjavor village. Thanks to all donors who participated, 150 children from this area have access to preschool for the first time.
In our world, we are not all born with the same privileges and opportunities.
Where I am from and where I live, education is a given. We must not forget that it is not the case everywhere.
I am in a privileged position where I know the value of preschool education and where I can help others, with small donations. I believe that if we are in that position and if we can give back, whether it is with small donations or big donations or just by spreading the word, then, we should do it. It makes you feel good and it is so rewarding. I mean, imagine how grateful will these children who are benefiting from these preschools be in 5 years, 10 years, 15 years?
“Where I am from and where I live, education is a given. We must not forget that it is not the case everywhere.”
Jelena and Novak have proven times and times again that they are generous people, that they care deeply about Serbia and education. Them matching donations proves once again that they don’t take our donations for granted and that they are 100% invested in this. They truly are wonderful people who have a goal, a vision and who are, with the help and the hard work of their team at the Novak Djokovic Foundation working relentlessly towards achieving that goal.
It is up to all of us around the world to keep helping them as much as we can. So, give your contribution via this link, and help them give 200 children in Serbia a powerful gift of education!
