As the previous year was coming to an end and the new one was slowly beginning, a quiet yet deeply meaningful story unfolded at the Helvetas BiH office. Over the past weeks, our team had the opportunity to volunteer and work together with two students who were completing their professional internship as part of a support programme for young people with Down syndrome.

The period between December and January—often marked by reflection, new beginnings, and acts of giving—made this internship particularly significant. It became a process of shared learning that naturally connected the close of one year with the start of another.

Adna Čovrk, a student completing her regular internship at the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Policy, brought calm focus, discipline, and curiosity for administrative and communication-related tasks to our office.

Selma Hodžić, who works at the National Theatre Sarajevo and is also an active dancer and actress with the ensemble of the Sarajevo War Theatre (SARTR) production Up&Down, brought joy, creativity, and remarkable stage confidence to every task we worked on together.

Through carefully structured mini-tasks, the students explored the field of communications, content preparation, and the basics of visual materials for social media, as well as administrative topics such as drafting and submitting official requests, record keeping, and document archiving.

At the same time, the Helvetas BiH team learned a great deal from them—about simplicity, sincerity, finding a rhythm that allows everyone to express themselves, and how diverse talents enrich everyday work.

Before the activities began, we jointly reviewed guidelines and methodologies for inclusive work, with the support of professionals and a parents’ association of young people with Down syndrome. This carefully guided process ensured that every activity was carried out calmly, clearly, and with mutual respect.

This internship was not just a work assignment. It was a shared lesson showing that inclusion is not a one-time event, but a continuous process—and a reminder that investing time, knowledge, and attention always returns through new perspectives and small yet meaningful steps forward.

We are grateful to Adna and Selma for filling the days between two years with energy, trust, and warmth. We entered the new year enriched by this experience and with a clear confirmation that shared learning is one of the most valuable beginnings we can have.