“The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention” – Oscar Wilde reminds us of the importance of good deeds, and this is the message that the Hastor Foundation has been spreading through its philanthropic activities promoting significant life values for many years. One of the main values of the Hastor Foundation is to encourage positive changes in society. Its scholarship recipients are the best examples of such changes as they actively live its vision and goals through their volunteer activities. In our section “Scholar of the Month,” we want to introduce scholarship recipients who contribute to our mission and vision through their engagement within the Hastor Foundation
They are examples of responsibility, solidarity, and success that inspire us daily. Thanks to her continuous work and significant contribution to the Hastor Foundation, Selma Mahmutović has rightfully earned the honorary title of Scholar of the Month this month.
Selma Mahmutović, originally from Sarajevo, is an outstanding scholarship recipient whose individual work promotes innovation among young people. She is a second-year student at the Faculty of Economics, University of Sarajevo, Department of Business Management, majoring in Marketing. Her main area of interest during education has been economics, which influenced her choice of study.
Selma has a wide range of interests and skills she developed during her upbringing. In elementary school, she excelled in her literary works, both in poetry and prose. Additionally, she had achievements in sports, especially in cross-country and athletics competitions. English language was just one of her interests and paths of improvement, so she always sought to enhance her knowledge in that field. Besides that, she cultivated a love for the Turkish language, their traditions, and culture. Selma strives for progress within the Hastor Foundation by articulating her goals. The initial instance of her voluntary engagement was mentoring, and she says:
When I became a mentor at the Hastor Foundation, I was not aware of how much effort, dedication, and responsibility this title carries. However, from the beginning of my mentoring, I tried to fulfill my duties on time and with the utmost care. I got my role as a mentor during the pandemic, which was a significant challenge for me. Besides that, I consider my role to be that of an advisor. I have always wanted to encourage their talents through games, so I often insisted that they tell me about themselves, to understand what each of them is gifted for through quizzes. I think the role of a mentor is precisely to find the best in them, to help them channel that best towards a direction that will open new doors to success.
After her voluntary work as a mentor, Selma got the opportunity to join the administrative team, where she met new friends and gained meaningful experience. Selma emphasizes that she performs every assigned task with great enthusiasm, dedication, and a desire to contribute to her team. She also believes in the importance of being responsible and committed to her work. She believes that the Hastor Foundation has improved her individual growth through various activities within the administrative team. In addition to her voluntary engagement in the administrative team, she is actively involved in improving the lives of her local community. Furthermore, she initiated an initiative for cleaning up the neighborhood where she lives and strives to show that environmental preservation is an extremely important commitment and that everyone can contribute to a better community life.
Her dedicated resolution of doubts or forwarding of important information is a daily practice by which she provides support and assistance to Hastor Foundation scholarship holders. Selma points out that she performs every volunteer task assigned to her with great enthusiasm, dedication and desire to contribute to this team. He also points out that it is important to be responsible and dedicated in your work. She believes that the Hastor Foundation has improved her individual growth through various activities within the administrative team. In addition to volunteering in the administrative team, she is actively involved in improving life in her local community. Encouraged by the volunteer activities of the scholarship holders of the Hastor Foundation, Selma also starts an initiative to clean up the neighborhood where she lives and tries to show that preserving the environment is an extremely important commitment and that everyone can contribute to a better life in the community.
Selma recognizes the importance of the Hastor Foundation as the foundation for creating positive social changes:
The Hastor Foundation has been a lifesaver for me, both financially and in all other aspects of life. It has opened numerous opportunities for me to fulfill my desires and dreams. It has been my guide when I did not know where I should be heading. It helped me realize that I am worth much more and that I have the right to dream, feel, and want.
Prepared by: Semina Sadiković
