CAPSULE STORIES #6 - GORDANA KOCAJ
13/11/2019
“The Red Cross Society of the Dugo Selo community in the local community works through humanitarian work. Dugo Selo is part of St. Martin's way, and the link is precisely its action through sharing, solidarity and mutual help. In the NPA project, where the City is one of its partners, the Red Cross has included its own Self-service shopping cart project”.
An interview with Gordana Kocaj, director of the Red Cross Society of the Dugo Selo
How is The Red Cross of Dugo Selo connected to the NPA project?
The Red Cross Society of the Dugo Selo community in the local community works through humanitarian work. This town is part of St. Martin's way, and the link is precisely its action through sharing, solidarity and mutual help. In the NPA project, where the City is one of its partners, the Red Cross has included its own "Self-service shopping cart" project. Since 2017, the Social Depot has been active in the area of Dugo Selo and the municipalities of Brckovljani and Rugvica. It works according to the possibilities, depends on the donations of citizens, companies of that RC itself.
What is the biggest challenge in your work?
The biggest challenge is the lack of self-service items. Do not have enough food and there is a need. When imagining a social self-depot, everyone imagines a shop that is overworked, but reality is not like that. Action is organized periodically, especially in pre-Christmas, Christmas and Easter. Then the donations have been strengthened. It is an important action "Solidarity at work" where we get more material from which we purchase the necessary items and packages for our users. It's hard to see someone missing, but it's wonderful when you see someone helping and grinning.
What are the benefits of a NPA project?
We have a very good cooperation with the Town of Dugo Selo that meets us whenever we need it. Dugo Selo recently donated computers to our users. I hope that this project, linking various elements and various stakeholders, will enable our social centre "Cart of Light" to survive and progress. I believe that the factors, digital connectivity and faster information exchange will give the opportunity for this humanitarian work to continue.
