Interview with Ivan Sterjovski

What is your position and contribution to SOS Children’s Village?

I am the Project Manager for “Youth Empowerment Enabling Prospects 2” (YEEP) for Macedonia. The project aims to empower youth at social risk and facilitate their access to the labor market. We achieve this through life skills and employability training, career counseling, psychosocial support, and financial aid for vocational courses. We also connect youth with employers for internships and employment, and provide mini-grants for those at social risk to start their own small businesses.

What are the main goals of SOS Children’s Village?

SOS Children’s Village Macedonia is an organization dedicated to ensuring that every child grows up with love, respect, and a sense of security. We help children and young people recognize and express their individual abilities, interests, and talents. We ensure they gain the education and skills necessary to have the bright future they deserve.

Who is the target of your mission?

Our primary target group is children growing up without parents or parental care. However, the expertise we have built over the past 25 years has allowed us to reach additional groups in need. We counsel families facing challenges and promote the model of positive parenting. We also support specific groups of young people facing various hurdles. For instance, our project includes and supports youth with intellectual and physical disabilities, single parents, victims of domestic violence, youth from migrant backgrounds, those with speech and hearing impairments, and the visually impaired. We also support young people who have made mistakes in life and have criminal records, because, like everyone else, they deserve full support for a fresh start as conscientious citizens.

Do you see the result/impact of your work?

This is one of those rare projects where results become visible just a few months after the youth join our activities, and that makes me exceptionally happy. There are numerous examples of young people who faced existential insecurity but, after joining our project, found their first job and began walking firmly toward their career goals.

What is the one thing that you learned from working here?

That’s an unfair question! I’ve learned so many things here; how can I choose just one? (laughs) Okay, let me try. Here is something very important I’ve learned: when given the opportunity, young people and individuals with disabilities are actually workers with above-average productivity. Probably because the chance to show their potential isn’t handed to them on a silver platter, they value it more. So, when companies say they want to hire people with disabilities to be “socially responsible,” I proudly correct them. They should hire them because they recognize their potential and because these individuals will improve the company’s productivity and business results.

What is the most challenging thing about your work?

Ugh, the administrative aspects of project management! (laughs) Jokes aside, I know they exist to ensure transparency and accountability, but sometimes, after spending hours writing reports or managing documents according to our many procedures, I get a bit frustrated. I feel that at that time, I could be doing more essential work in the field, helping even more people in need. It is also difficult for me to accept that in the 21st century, we as a society still haven’t built a system that provides adequate support for all vulnerable categories, an environment where everyone can realize their personal and professional potential, and feel like a valued member of the community.

How can we, as ordinary citizens, contribute to your mission?

In many ways, actually. First, by acting as active and conscious citizens who don’t just complain about problems but actively work to overcome them.  For example, by volunteering to support those at social risk. Also, we are an organization largely funded by donations. Many individuals and companies who have seen our work firsthand have become dedicated donors. On the SOS Children’s Village website, there is an option for monthly donations. Sometimes the amount is symbolic, the price of two coffees, but it makes a real change in the lives of children and youth without parental care. Lastly, but just as importantly, promoting our activities and mission, as you are doing with this interview, is a huge support. I sincerely thank you for that.

“Youth Empowerment Enabling Prospects 2” is a project funded by the Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development of Germany (BMZ) and Children’s Villages Worldwide.

Žaneta Kobiliaková