"The only way to survive in this kind of community is discipline. I will always remember our gatherings, our baking and sowing together, our laughing together..." -- J. B. (mother of one)

Toward making it on their own

During their stay at St. Anne's Center for Women & Children the women practice skills that will make it easier for them to find placement in the job-market. The skills are oriented to help make ends meet outside the workplace too. For example, while their efforts at learning how to cook new meals will help them land a job as a restaurant cook it also helps improve both the variety and nutritional value of the meals they make for their children.

"I teach women about healthy nutrition; in the theoretical part I explain the basics and then we practice what we have learned. St. Ana has a kitchen and every Thursday in that kitchen we prepare food and then we have a taste-test. These women know some basics, and when they are taught some new things they gain the qualities of the good cooks. This knowledge will be very useful for them when they leave, particularly in the nutrition of their children." --N. Depikolozvane (culinary teacher)

We currently have 3 sewing machines that are used for learning first how to mend, and then how to make their own clothes. This has become a very handy skill as much of the clothes donated to the center are too large for the children. With a few minutes at the sewing machine our ladies are able to hem a skirt, or take in a pair of trousers. Perhaps one day they'll start designing their own clothes.

"I finished a course on sewing and I remember that this course contributed tremendously to our feeling of confidence and satisfaction." -- A. R. (mother of two)

"Saint Ann" would never be what it is today without its friends all over the world. Some gifts of our donors are presented for sale in our exhibition and sale shop in Rijeka. A number of works of our house protégés are also there, like the greeting cards made for Easter time, or that nativity scenes made for Christmas. Every purchase made at our shop means more funds for our home—for buying the new equipment, for developing our activities, and improving our rehabilitation programs.

"These jobs of general use also raised the feelings of solidarity, belonging, safety. Whenever I come to St. Ana I feel as if I am coming to a reliable school that comforts. I feel that I passed the exam of maturity here." --A. R. (mother of two)