Help us build Center for Emotional Support “Cat Barn” for orphans in Sarajevo

Cat Barn (Mačkambar) is a project of Foundation Second (second.ba) that connects orphans from the Home for Children without parental care "Bjelave" (dombjelave.ba) in Sarajevo and rescued cats through the Center of Emotional Support that should be built on the Mt. Bjelasnica in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

It will have an area dedicated to animal-assisted therapy which can be beneficial for children who are orphans or have special needs. Interacting with animals, such as cats, can provide a calming effect and promote feelings of joy and happiness.

Reducing stress and anxiety: Children who have experienced trauma or have special needs can often feel anxious and stressed. Interacting with cats can help reduce these negative emotions, as the act of petting and playing with cats can provide a calming effect.

Improving social skills: Children who are orphans or have special needs may struggle with social skills. Interacting with cats can help them develop social skills as they learn to communicate with the cats and other people who may be involved in the therapy.

Enhancing emotional regulation: Children who have experienced trauma or have special needs may have difficulty regulating their emotions. Interacting with cats can help them learn how to manage their emotions in a healthy way.

Increasing self-esteem: Children who are orphans or have special needs may struggle with self-esteem issues. Interacting with cats can help them feel loved and appreciated, which can boost their self-esteem and confidence.

Providing a sense of companionship: Children who are orphans or have special needs may feel lonely or isolated. Interacting with cats can provide them with a sense of companionship and help them feel less alone.

The only obstacle which is standing on the way of building Cat Barn is 50.000 EUR of the estimated cost.

Since that amount is very hard to reach during this year, we would like to buy a residential container for a start and to adjust it to the needs of this specific project. The residential container of 29 square meters along with the adequate fencing would cost 10.000 EUR and it can be installed within one month after purchase.

The importance and impact that this project would have on the local community was recognized by director and producer Antonela Pehar Šimunović who made a documentary "Little Holiday House" dedicating part of the movie to the Cat Barn (Mačkambar). It starts from the 20'.

In the documentary one of the kids wrote that "Cats would really like to have their own home", so if you want to make that wish come true, you can help by sharing this fundraiser to the wider audience or donating directly to the account of Foundation Second:

BAM Account No: 1413115320025053

EUR/USD IBAN: BA391413115310005729

SWIFT: BBIBA22XXX, Bosna Bank International DD Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Beneficiary: Fondacija Second, Sarajevo - Novi Grad, Bosnia and Herzegovina

PayPal: [email protected]