Her mission is not just a profession or a hobby, but a deep-rooted value that has guided her since she was young. As a young girl, she has often helped organise children's workshops, run summer camps and volunteered as a teacher in the local community. She believed that knowledge opens doors and that every child deserves a chance, no matter what their background.
As the years passed, Lidija turned her love of teaching into a daily job. As a maths instructor, she helped many children who were struggling with numbers and equations. She knew that maths was a barrier for many, but she also believed that with the right approach, anyone could overcome their fear of it.
But then came the hard times. Inflation, expensive utility bills, parents struggling to make ends meet. Lidija noticed that more and more families could no longer pay for extra help for their children, even though they desperately needed it. The excuses started - some parents told her with sadness in their eyes that they could no longer afford the tuition, others shyly withdrew without explaining their reasons.
That night Lidija couldn't sleep. The faces of the children who needed her help were spinning in her head. She remembered the little girl who cried during maths problems, and the little boy who lost his confidence because he didn't understand fractions. These children were not to blame for their families' distress. Why should they pay the price?
The next morning, she made her decision. She set up a system of free instruction. Whoever needed help got it - no questions, no shame, no fear of whether they could afford it.
At first, only those who already knew her came to her, but then the news spread around the city. Within weeks, her living room was full of children - some bringing old notebooks, others bringing a brother or sister. Lydia always found time for everyone. With a warm smile and immense patience, she explained equations, drew graphs and encouraged the children not to give up.
One day, a mother of two came to her with tears in her eyes. "I don't know how to thank you," she whispered. Lydia just smiled and took her hand. "Your children show their gratitude with every smile they give me when they understand something. That means the most to me."
Every time a child passed a test or looked forward to learning again, she knew she had done the right thing. And maybe one day, one of those children she helped will become a teacher, a scientist or a doctor because of her. Maybe because of her selfless gesture, someone will believe in the power of knowledge and pass it on.
Zala Krupljan, 28. 2. 2025
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