As part of the “Parents at Work” project, pupils at Savremena Primary School had the opportunity to learn about another inspiring field of work, as well as an important humanitarian mission. Our guest was Jovana Zeković, the mother of a pupil from class 8-2, who presented her association “Home for Pups”, dedicated to protecting, rescuing and improving the welfare of abandoned dogs.

During the visit, the pupils learned what everyday work looks like in an association that cares for animals in need. Jovana spoke about how important responsibility, patience, empathy and dedication are when working with abandoned dogs, and how even a small act of help can change someone’s life. The pupils had the chance to hear how dogs are rescued, cared for, socialised and prepared for a new home.

This presentation opened important questions about responsible behaviour towards animals, the importance of adoption and the need to be kind to those who depend on human care. Through the story of “Home for Pups”, the pupils saw how love for animals can grow into serious, meaningful and noble work.

The “Parents at Work” project is designed to bring pupils closer to different professions, interests and life callings of their parents, and the meeting with Jovana Zeković showed how deeply work can be connected with love and responsibility. Presenting the work of “Home for Pups”, Jovana explained that caring for abandoned dogs means much more than feeding them and providing temporary shelter. It also includes medical care, attention, understanding their behaviour and finding them a safe and loving home.

The pupils listened carefully to stories about dogs found on the street, their recovery and their journey towards families who will love them. Through real examples, they understood that every animal has its own story, needs and right to safety and care. They were especially interested in the ways people can help – through adoption, donations, volunteering, sharing information or simply behaving responsibly towards animals in their own surroundings.

This visit was an opportunity for pupils to develop empathy and think about how their own actions can contribute to the community. They learned that humanity begins with small steps, with the willingness to notice a problem and the desire to help. That is why the story of “Home for Pups” was a valuable lesson about care, responsibility and the power of good deeds.

The most valuable part of the meeting was the moment when the pupils understood that caring for abandoned dogs is not only the task of individuals, but a shared responsibility of society as a whole. Through the conversation with Jovana Zeković, they realised how important it is to treat animals with care, responsibility and respect. Her story showed them that good deeds often begin with one decision – not to look away, but to try to help.

The pupils asked questions, shared their own experiences and thought about ways in which they could support such initiatives. They also learned that more information about the association’s work can be found on the Instagram profile Home_for_pups, where stories of dogs in need of help, support or a new home are shared.

At Savremena Primary School, we believe that visits like this have special value because they connect education with life, the community and important social topics. The “Parents at Work” project once again showed that parents, through their knowledge, experience and dedication, can bring pupils lessons that will be remembered for a long time.