For the Hastor Foundation and the scholarship holders, the end of 2021 is the beginning of a new story and adventure. On Wednesday, 29 December 2021, on the premises of ASA Prevent, the university students – scholarship holders signed the contracts for further scholarship. Those who prolonged their scholarship contracts were joined by new scholarship holders that recently became freshmen. In total, 526 scholarship holders of the Hastor Foundation signed the contracts and some of them are just starting their stories as university students. Although they were divided into groups, with respect to all the epidemiological measures, these students were finally together after a long time.

Despite monthly online meetings which provided a sense of unity and collectiveness, the students could not hide their joy during our reunion. Just like the monthly online meetings, the university scholarship holders were met by the always cheerful director of the Hastor Foundation Seid Fijuljanin, who congratulated all the students on their signed contract while motivating them with to continue stringing their successes together.

If I had to sum up the mission of the Hastor Foundation, I believe that the most fitting word would be helping, which is our very essence. All our scholarship holders from their elementary, high school and later college years, go through various paths that lead to the fulfilment of their personal goals and ambitions. During this time, their style, way of life and work is exactly helping others. University students – scholarship holders are the base of Hastor Foundation’s mission, the most important pillar in its structure since they work with their younger counterparts, giving them an image, which will lead them further into the future, said director Fijuljanin.

Our students are the primary role models for our younger scholarship holders who, through the process of mentoring, become just like their own mentors. Director Fijuljanin added that the way in which the university students motivate and inspire their younger counterparts is crucial, and it allows the younger scholarship holders to view their mentors as “role models”. Among topics handled in regular volunteer meetings, it is important that younger students obtain trust in their mentors and know that they can contact them whenever they need help. Volunteering in mentor groups and local communities represents one of the main characteristics of the Hastor Foundation that makes it recognizable to others. Our scholarship holders do more than 20 000 hours of volunteer work monthly. This volunteer work is important for the whole country.

Director Seid Fijuljanin announced an admission call for new students wishing to join the Hastor Foundation. These new students will become a little army, a force of good changes and a model for the whole region.

Students showed exceptional responsibility regarding their university obligations, but also towards the Hastor Foundation which inspires them toward success in everything they do. The main goal, however, is to be good people who change society and become role models through their positive acts. They were informed about their duties toward the Foundation by the member of the administrative team Maida Husnić, who explained the main rules and the way in which the Foundation operates.

Since its creation in 2006, the Hastor Foundation has supported and empowered young people. Its main goal is that every scholarship holder becomes a responsible, diligent, and inspiring citizen who will be an initiator of positive change, primarily in their local community and after that in the whole country.

The contract signing shows us that the students will soon move into the world of the labor market, but that does not worry us. Quite the contrary, we are happy that the employers will have a chance to meet these wonderful young workers and we are sure that it will make us especially proud.

Prepared by: Aleksandra Đukić

Translated by: Ešref Mehanović