There are stories that begin with big plans, clear goals and confident steps. And there are those that come about quite spontaneously, from one simple wish – to do something good for someone else.
Our Čarolija is exactly that kind of story.
Čarolija darivanja BiH was founded in September 2017, inspired by the humanitarian initiative of the same name in Croatia. After taking part in their campaigns personally, and at the suggestion of the administrator of the Croatian Čarolija, the idea was born for a similar story to come to life in Bosnia and Herzegovina as well.
The idea was simple, but powerful: to connect children growing up without adequate parental care, children from families in difficult financial circumstances who are supported by the organisations we work with, and children with developmental disabilities, with people who want to fulfil their personal wishes and make their childhood brighter.
Without big promises, without complicated procedures and without any need to turn giving into something more than what it essentially is – a sincere act of care and kindness.
From the first fifty or so members to a community with a big heart
At the very beginning, Čarolija brought together only about fifty people. We did not know how far this idea would go, how many people would join or how many children's wishes we would manage to fulfil.
But we believed it was worth trying.
The first contacts with institutions, the first conversations, the first wish lists and the first donors were the beginning of something that would, over the years, grow into a community of almost 14,000 members.
A special place in our history belongs to JU Dječji dom Mostar (the Mostar Children's Home), the institution with which we took our first concrete steps.
On 29 September 2017, the first list of children's wishes was published, and already in October the first gifts began to arrive.
Behind every parcel was one person who had decided to set aside their time, choose a gift, wrap it carefully and send it to a child they might never meet in person.
That is exactly what makes Čarolija special.
You do not have to know a child to show them that they matter. You do not have to have much to brighten someone's day. Sometimes it is enough to decide that someone's wish will not remain just a wish.
A magic created by people
Over the years, Čarolija has connected children from institutions and other forms of organised care, children from families facing difficult financial circumstances, and children with developmental disabilities, with people of different professions, life circumstances and means, but with one shared wish – to give joy.
For some it was a toy. For others a book, clothes, school supplies or something they had long been hoping for. For some a birthday present, and for others a token of attention during the holidays.
To adults these are sometimes small and quite ordinary things. To a child they can mean much more.
Because behind every gift there is a message:
Someone thought of you. Someone heard your wish. Someone cares.
Over time, Čarolija's activities expanded. Alongside birthday and holiday wishes, other initiatives developed too, including support for education through scholarships and help in special life circumstances.
However, whatever the form of help, the basic idea has remained the same – the needs and dignity of the child always come first.
Trust built over years
Čarolija darivanja BiH is not a children's home, a registered humanitarian association or an organisation that collects money to regularly fund its own work.
It is a humanitarian initiative that operates primarily online and connects those who need help with people who want to give it.
One of our most important principles from the very beginning has been direct giving.
Donors choose a child's wish, buy the gift and send it directly to the address of the institution or another previously agreed recipient.
In this way, giving remains personal, simple and transparent.
Over nine years, it is precisely trust, responsibility and mutual respect that have allowed Čarolija to keep existing, growing and developing.
The trust of the institutions that entrust us with children's wishes. The trust of the donors who respond to our campaigns. And responsibility towards the children for whom this whole story began.
Kindness knows no borders
Although the founder and administrator of Čarolija has been living outside Bosnia and Herzegovina for seven years now, distance has never been an obstacle to this story continuing to live and grow.
Thanks to a whole army of good people, donors from Bosnia and Herzegovina and abroad, as well as the institutions and organisations we work with, Čarolija has grown year after year, connected people and strived to be a bright spot in the lives of those who most need attention, love and support – our children.
Because love for one's homeland is not measured in kilometres, and kindness knows no borders.
A new chapter of our Čarolija
After years of working through social media, Čarolija darivanja BiH is opening a new chapter – its own website.
This step is not a change of our mission, but its natural continuation.
We want Čarolija to be accessible to people who do not use social media as well. We want children's wishes, information about campaigns and ways of taking part to be clearer, more accessible and simpler.
The creation and launch of the website are funded by the personal resources of Čarolija's founder, with the selfless help and support of people who have recognised the value of this initiative and its importance for children.
This new step is yet more proof that Čarolija grows not only thanks to the gifts meant for children, but also thanks to people who selflessly invest their time, knowledge, effort and support so that together we can make sure as many children's wishes as possible are fulfilled.
We want to preserve the memories of everything we have created together, but also to open up space for new stories, new acquaintances and new ways of helping.
Although the way we communicate is changing, what matters most remains unchanged.
Čarolija has never been just a story about gifts.
It is a story about humanity, trust, solidarity and small acts that can leave a big mark on someone's life.
Čarolija lives on thanks to you
Everything that has been achieved over these years has been achieved thanks to the people who decided to be part of this story.
Those who fulfilled one wish. Those who come back year after year. Those who shared a post, recommended Čarolija to their friends, offered help or simply believed that together we can do something good.
Each of them has put a small part of themselves into what Čarolija is today.
Čarolija darivanja BiH began with one idea in 2017. Today it is the shared story of all the people who believe that no child should ever be forgotten.
And as long as there are children's wishes and people ready to hear them, there will be a reason for our Čarolija to live on.
Because the most beautiful magic is not the one we wait for. The most beautiful magic is the one we create together. ❤️