Novak Djokovic Foundation Opens New School of Life in Jalovik

The 10th School of Life in the village of Jalovik, the Municipality of Vladimirci, today officially opened its doors within the preschool institution “Suncokreti” to 60 boys and girls from this village and nearby places.

Novak Djokovic Foundation donated EUR 65,000 for the construction and equipping of kindergarten with toys, books, didactic materials and new play sets that have been installed in the preschool yard. Within the project, specialized training seminars and workshops were held to support professional development of educators and introduce the local community to important issues related to education and development of children during the formative years.

Increase in number of newborns recorded in the Municipality of Vladimirci and local kindergartens lacking the capacity for the influx of new students were some of the reasons that additionally encouraged NDF investing in early childhood education and care for children in this part of Serbia. As a result, the Foundation decided to open a new daycare facility in Jalovik, explained Gorana Dzudza Jakovljevic, NDF project manager.

Opening of the tenth School of Life has a symbolic meaning for us as ten years passed since the Novak Djokovic Foundation started working in 2007. Today we proudly recall all our projects, activities and things we have done so far to provide best possible conditions for kids to play with their friends and receive the education they deserve. Over the last two years we have actively participated and monitored facility construction and equipping. Due to our excellent cooperation with local self-government and community representatives we managed to create a safe, stable and enjoyable environment for wonderful kids from Jalovik and neighboring  places who otherwise would have little-to-no chance to reach their full potential and turn all their dreams into reality – said Gorana Dzudza Jakovljevic.

According to Zorica Milosevic, director of PI “Suncokreti”, the preschool institution reached higher preschool coverage rates and enhanced the quality of its services through partnership with the Novak Djokovic Foundation within the Schools of Life project.

Thanks to the Foundation’s help and support, we will ensure that all our children have access to high-quality preschool programs and lead a happy, healthy and fulfilling life. We look forward to seeing them flourish academically, forge their first friendships and discover the magic of childhood in this new preschool – said Mrs. Milosevic.

Milorad Milinkovic, mayor of the Municipality of Vladimirci, also highlighted important project goals.

Schools of Life project is of vital importance to our municipality. It will help address the shortage of preschool places and benefit the community more widely. Jalovik, the largest settlement in Vladimirci, welcomes the new kindergarten where local children will share the same learning experience as their peers in big towns and cities. On behalf of our municipality I would like to express my gratitude to the Foundation for choosing to implement this significant project here in order to contribute to proper development and education of children in rural areas – said Mr. Milinkovic.

JLL company also joined the project and provided some of the funds for construction and equipping of the tenth School of Life. “Schools of Life – Together for Childhood” project has been implemented in cooperation with CIP – Center for Interactive Pedagogy.

This year the Novak Djokovic Foundation celebrates its tenth anniversary as a global organization that champions and invests in early childhood education and development with a special focus on Serbia, where only one in two children has access to preschool education. The Foundation has provided nearly EUR 10 million for implementation of ECE and ECD projects and programs in economically challenged communities throughout the country and helped over 10,000 children to date. Beside the kindergarten in Jalovik, 9 more Schools of Life have been opened in Ljig, Raska, Knic, Merosina, Kraljevo, Vladicin Han, Lucani, Pecinci and Sid.