YES Abroad participants are encouraged to volunteer some of their free time and participate in community service projects in their host countries. The YES Abroad Bosnia and Herzegovina students have been quite active in their volunteering since their arrival in September. Most recently, the students volunteered for three Saturdays at the Bjelave Orphanage located in Sarajevo.  

Bjelave Orphanage opened its doors to house their first children in 1900. Since then, the devoted staff of the orphanage and its numerous volunteers have assisted in caring for thousands of children faced with various social problems ranging from abuse, economic hardship or neglect. The orphanage is currently home to almost a hundred children aged 0 to 18.

YES Abroad students Anna Wright, Emma Goldrick, Katie Wells, Helena Ratte and Savannah Wooten, spent those thress Saturdays playing with a group of seventeen children aged 3-5 years (in the Baby II department), including those with special needs, for two hours at a time during their regular play time. The students’ hope is to continue their volunteering and assistance with the children, and their ultimate plan is to slowly incorporate English language learning through fun games with this group of children as well.