Whispers of Home in a Child’s Heart

Saya’s family is from Syria, but she was born in Turkiye. Saya is six years old and has three sisters—one younger and two older. Her family lived in Syria until her older sisters were three and one year old. They fled because the war had made their hometown too dangerous. Her father was the first to leave, traveling to Turkey, and soon after, Saya’s mother and sisters joined him. Saya and her younger sister were born in Turkey.

Life in Turkey brought them temporary peace, but Saya’s parents wanted more for their children—security, a better future, and quality education. So, they made the difficult decision to leave and travel toward Germany. “Our journey took us through Bulgaria and Serbia, where we stayed briefly before arriving in Bosnia and Herzegovina. During our journey, we learned that the reception centers in Bosnia provided educational and creative activities for children, so we decided to move in,” said Saya.

Saya speaks both Arabic and Turkish. She is quiet and doesn’t speak much, but her eyes tell stories that words cannot. Every time she enters a room, she brings a special warmth and light.

Saya often seeks support from WV team members—with drawing, writing, and even the simplest tasks. And without fail, whenever an activity involves cats, her eyes light up. Whether she is creating masks, building cat houses, drawing, or storytelling—if there’s a chance for a cat to appear, Saya is the first to get involved. Whenever children create boxes, hers always take the shape of a cat.

One day, during a group activity, while all the children were gluing flowers onto their paper bouquets, Saya glued a small house onto her paper. It wasn’t just any house—she painted it with such care, putting effort into every tiny detail. That’s when we realized just how much she misses having a home. A real, safe home—not a small container of just a few square meters where her entire family is accommodated. A place where they don’t have to leave their room to access basic necessities like the bathroom, kitchen, or laundry area. Despite the hardships they have endured, Saya says “I have never felt happier anywhere than in the reception center.”

She says that no matter how sad she feels, the moment she enters the Child-Friendly Space, she becomes happy and energized. Yet, behind her bright eyes, a quiet wish lingers—she dreams of a real home. “I dream of a room of my own, where we can arrange my toys and hang up my artwork on the walls”.

Children on the move carry heavy burdens, far too big for their small shoulders. But in the Child-Friendly Space, through play, learning, and care, they rediscover their smiles, their hopes, and a sense of security. With the support of UNICEF Bosnia and Herzegovina, the European Union in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and World Vision Germany, World Vision BiH teams provide daily support to children on the move.

WV Bosnia and Herzegovina’s long-term presence and strong local partnerships enable rapid and effective response program since March 2018, operating and implementing key intervention models to support migrant and refugee children and adults: Child Friendly Space (CFS), Mother and Baby Unit (MBU), 24/7 UASC (Unaccompanied and Separated Children) Protection and Care, Formal and Informal Education, Social Cohesion, Anti Trafficking in Persons (ATiP), and Mental Health and Psycho-social Support (MHPSS). 

Story by Ozedonus Dautbegović, Child Friendly Space Animator