ADRA Croatia invited children in Jabukovac and Glina to discover that home is more than walls – it is love, peace, and belonging.
What makes a place feel like home?
For many children in the primary schools of Jabukovac and Glina, that question became real and personal as ADRA Croatia promoted ADRA Europe’s Art Contest “Hear me. See me. Walk with me.” – and that carried the specific submission theme “Home/Shelter: A Place to Belong” for this year.
The event was a chance for students to listen, reflect, and share what home truly means.
One of the most moving moments came when guest speaker Mile Mrvalj, founder of Association Fajter, shared his own story.
Mile spoke openly about his journey from homelessness in Zagreb to becoming a social and humanitarian activist. He explained that while shelter is important, every person also needs something deeper: to be seen, accepted, and connected to others.
He shared how his life changed through the bond with his “adopted” daughter, Antonella. Today, Mile and Antonella work together to help other people regain their legal rights and dignity.
Their story reminded students that a true home is not only the place where we live. It is also the place where we are loved, welcomed, and valued.
The programme continued with reflections from students taking part in “One Year in Mission and Service”. They spoke about immigration and what it means to leave one place and search for another.
Together, they came to a powerful conclusion: a true home is not defined by bricks or walls. A true home is built through peace, love, and mutual acceptance.
Their reflections were recently shared in a video on ADRA Croatia’s social media on 3 April 2026.
To close the initiative, students took part in an art workshop. With paint, colour, and imagination, they expressed the ideas they had heard and felt throughout the day.
The result was beautiful and full of heart. Ten paintings were selected and sent to ADRA Europe to represent the talent, compassion, and hope of the students in Jabukovac and Glina.
At ADRA, we believe every person is a child of God and deserves a place to belong. Through this art contest, young people were reminded that home is not only where we live. Home is where we are seen, loved, and accepted.
Learn More
Read more about the ADRA Art Contest at: https://artcontest.adra.eu/. The public voting to chose your favorite artworks per age category starts in the next days. Learn more here and follow us on Facebook/Instagram.