Selfless individuals in Croatia always ready to help: Meet Iva, Tonka, Toni, and Veronika

(Photo credit: Nacionalna zaklada za razvoj civilnoga društva)

We live in a time when we are often disappointed in people, when we feel alone, and when life situations seem hopeless. But it’s not true. Even though we sometimes all lack optimism, there are always those who are ready to lend a hand. 

It is precisely these people that the National Foundation for Civil Society Development (c) has supported, celebrating twenty years of existence this year, having helped thousands of people by assisting various associations, giving them a new direction and new hope. 

Today, we introduce you to some of them. Meet Iva, Tonka, Toni, and Veronika.

We met Iva Držak at the Association for Civil Society and Quality of Life Srma Sinj. She is a mother of five children and had her first contact with the Association ten years ago. 

Iva Držak (Photo credit: Nacionalna zaklada za razvoj civilnoga društva)

Her oldest child, now an 18-year-old girl, was starting first grade and needed a teaching assistant, which the Association helped her find.

“My happiness is my family, that we are all healthy, that the children grow up to be good people, that I can offer help to those in need. We live in a society where material things are important, not what a person is really like, whether they are honest and fair. Going through difficult life circumstances, I have learned that there is a solution to every problem. Nothing is unsolvable, but you have to swallow your pride and ask for help. You have to look around because there are good people who are ready to help,” says Iva, who is delighted to have met Snježanka, the president of the Srma Association, and describes her as someone who does her job with a lot of love and care.

“My message to anyone who finds themselves in difficulties and needs any kind of help: reach out to associations. Knock on the door, and the door will be opened to you. If you don’t seek help, you won’t get it. You need to overcome the fear of condemnation and judgmental looks; knock, ask, and help will be given to you. 

There are good people, those who are not selfish and who are ready to help at any moment,” concludes Iva, whose life has become easier with the help of good people.

Tonka Augustinović is a volunteer at the KAS Sisak Association. She is a very dynamic and cheerful person who loves socializing and loves people. She is very active in the association and gives one hundred percent for her association, for her retirees, and their gatherings. 

Tonka Augustinović (Photo credit: Nacionalna zaklada za razvoj civilnoga društva)

The association creates numerous creative items, which they then sell. They are currently raising money for the treatment of one of their horses who broke its leg. Tonka is the driving force behind everything in the association – she selflessly shares her knowledge and skills to contribute to her association, which suffered during the flood. 

They lost everything, their inventory, the space was flooded, and for six months, they worked on her terrace, where they made all these creative items to sell and help the association. This lady finds joy in her commitment and also calls on all retirees to get involved and contribute to society.

“It is difficult for everyone to step out of their comfort zone and get moving, there is a general sense of apathy and hopelessness among retirees, it is difficult to motivate them. I came to the association after the earthquake, when I was left homeless, so as not to despair and think about the difficult situation I found myself in. I offered to work and help the association to forget that I had lost my roof over my head. My whole life is upside down, but I don’t give in to either sorrow or despair, I always say: it has to be that way, let’s move on. My day is always too short,” says this optimistic retiree, who, despite many hardships, is satisfied with her life. 

The KAS association has been implementing a therapeutic riding program for people with disabilities since 2002, but due to the flood damage, they were unable to carry out all the programs they had been running.

Toni Zvonar comes from Velika Pisanica. He participated in the sCOOLFOOD program of the National Foundation. The main goal of this program is to emphasize the sustainability of food and the environment through the connection with nutrition, agriculture, energy, lifestyles, and waste reduction, in line with the global goals of sustainable development, namely the UN Sustainable Development Program by 2030.

Toni Zvonar (Photo credit: Nacionalna zaklada za razvoj civilnoga društva)

The program promotes a holistic approach to the child, or rather the individual, in the context of the connection with all living beings on Earth. 

“Since our teacher Josipa told us about this program, I was immediately interested. People have started to eat too much unhealthy food and forget that there is healthy food. That’s why I joined the program to learn as much as possible about healthy eating and to encourage friends to start eating healthier. My parents have a family farm, they grow fruits and vegetables, and I help them with that every day. The best thing for me is what my mom cooks,” admits Toni, who least enjoys working with a hoe, and most enjoys planting strawberries.

In addition to being an excellent student and helping his parents, Toni also plays soccer. His wish is to become a soccer player, a builder, or a farmer one day. He emphasizes that a healthy diet helps him in sports, so he advises all young people to engage in sports and be mindful of their diet. To end, Toni revealed to us the recipe for a good game: “Ajvar and homemade tomatoes – and you’ll definitely win!”

Veronika Soldo comes from the Association of Children of Fallen and Missing Croatian Defenders of the Homeland War from Vukovar. Her father was killed in Ovčara when she was only 2 and a half years old, and the same year her mother passed away. 

Veronika Soldo (Photo credit: Nacionalna zaklada za razvoj civilnoga društva)

She had an extremely difficult childhood, interrupted her high school education, but later, through conversations and counseling at the Association, she was encouraged to complete her education. “My life was not easy, but the people who came into my life made it more beautiful. The Association helped me a lot,” emphasizes Veronika.

Today, Veronika is a happy mother of three children. Before working in this organization, Veronika went to Germany with her family for livelihood, where her husband was already working. After several months, she returned to Croatia and found a job. After that, her husband also returned to Croatia and found a job.

“That is one of the situations that particularly pleases us for several reasons – we encouraged a person for personal progress and education and volunteering, enabled her employment, and also brought the whole family back to our homeland for which her father gave his life. Today, as an employee of the Association, she does her job very well, creates new ideas for our users, and, most importantly, helps them with concrete advice in their problems because she herself has gone through it. She is certainly one of the many people who motivate us in our work over the years, showing us and proving that what we do makes sense and truly helps people, as well as the entire community,” they emphasize at the Association of Children of Fallen and Missing Croatian Defenders. 

The psychosocial support she received from the Association helped Veronika to learn to cope with the life trauma and to be able to speak openly and without any issues about it.

“That’s my association and all those people I socialize and work with, they helped me in numerous life difficulties, and there have been too many during my life. Every life sacrificed for our country is my motivation and strength. Their opportunities were destroyed, but we must seize the opportunities we have in life. Each of us,” concludes Veronika, who now enjoys life to the fullest.