SLOVENIA'S 5 CORE VALUES

I felt the same way when Rajko talked about his childhood; about how his parents were killed in front of his eyes and how he grew up in orphanages and was considered to be a war orphan.

But despite the horrors he experienced and all the difficulties that plagued him, Rajko came from Bosnia to Slovenia and successfully completed his studies at the Faculty of Sport here. He became a teacher of physical education and took a job at a primary school in a small town. He was hard-working and diligent. He and his wife built a small house, but it was big enough for a quiet family life.

The school where he taught was close by. It was only a nice morning walk away. On the way, he passed a football field, a place he enjoyed very much. In his spare time, he took up coaching for younger boys. But that was what he did in the afternoons, so he was surprised to see day after day, on an empty pitch, a boy running and kicking a ball on his own. He often stood and watched how fast he was, with what precision he kicked the ball into the goal and how he looked up at the sky in gratitude. 

One day, he took the time to walk over to the playground. He took the ball and kicked it into the net. The boy looked at him in surprise. Even more so because Rajko was so curious: »Can you tell me your name and why you kick it yourself? Why don't you join a club to play in a group with other boys?«

»I am Matic. I'm not in the club because we don't have money at home,« he replied.

»Don't you have any for football boots?« Rajko asked, looking at his scuffed sneakers.

Matic nodded, and Rajko asked him, »And if you had money, would you go to the club with the other guys?«

»Yes, I'd like to walk, but my dad says he bought me a ball and I can kick on my own.«

Now Rajko had had enough, because he remembered many things he wanted as a child, but there was no atta or money. He stroked his mother's cheek and told her that he would take care of her and left.

The same day he went to a sports shop, bought a Sneakers and returned home happy. The next day, he went to work with a box under his armpits, and after class he went straight to the playground.

Matic was already running and kicking. He was delighted to see Rajko coming to him again. He ran towards him and looked in surprise at the box he offered him. He threw it open with excitement Sneakers and was overjoyed because they were right.

»Now that you have the shoes, you can come to the pitch tomorrow afternoon. I train boys like you and you'll train with me for free.«

Rajk's eyes teared up as he looked and felt the happiness of the poor boy.

They had been training together for a few years and Rajko rejoiced at Matič's success. He felt like he had another son. He accompanied him throughout his school years, and the boy continued to accompany him with gratitude and love even as Rajko spent his retirement years in peace.

Darinka Kobal, 23. 11. 2025