Heroes for a warm home – Julian Erjautz
He is deployed in the world's crisis hotspots. Whether wars, floods or earthquakes - the 33-year-old is always one of the first on the ground for SOS Children's Villages.
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Heroes for a Warm Home – Aleksandar Milanovic
The Vaillant Group and SOS Children’s Villages worldwide are linked by an international partnership. Since 2013, the family-owned company has been supporting the children’s rights organisation with modern heating technology and a wide range of social projects. In the series “Heroes for a Warm Home”, we tell the stories of the heroes behind this unique cooperation.
Aleksandar Milanovic
For him, lines and structures are more than just artistic expression. They are a way of processing his experiences. Aleksandar Milanovic is part of an alumni programme run by SOS Children’s Villages in Serbia. There he is trained as a mentor to encourage other young people with his own story.
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My childhood was difficult. My father had problems with addiction and my mother was ill most of the time.
When Aleksandar holds a piece of clay in his hands, shapes emerge that tell stories. The young art student from Belgrade learnt at an early age that creativity can be more than just artistic expression:it can be a way of dealing with difficult experiences. And it can help others find their own path.
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I want to use my experiences to support young people so that they don’t feel alone or abandoned. If, through this work, I can change even one life, that means everything to me.
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His journey shows that support can change lives
The way forward
In Serbia, many young people face enormous challenges: high youth unemployment, a lack of prospects for the future, and little support as they make the transition to adulthood and working life.Young people from difficult social backgrounds or who have grown up in alternative care are particularly affected. They often lack motivation, self-confidence and education – and for many, entering the world of work seems almost impossible.
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This is precisely where the SOS Children’s Villages’ “Youth Employment Enabling Prospects” (YEEP) programme comes in, which is supported by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).The aim is to empower disadvantaged young people, equip them with life and vocational skills, and prepare them for the labour market. The programme centres on the idea of peer-to-peer learning. Workshops, training sessions and practical insights into working life are designed by and for young people – supported by dedicated mentors, known as Youth Leaders, such as Alexsandar. Places like the “Strong Youngsters” youth club in Belgrade foster a real sense of community.
After completing his advocacy training, he will in future design workshops himself and, as a youth trainer, support other young people in bringing their ideas to life.
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From support to self-efficacy
Aleksandar’s story shows how experienced support can lead to genuine self-efficacy. Through targeted support, active involvement and commitment, the former participant has developed into an active Youth Leader who himself creates new opportunities for others.
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The Vaillant Group and “SOS Children’s Villages worldwide”
The Vaillant Group and “SOS Children’s Villages worldwide” have been linked by an international partnership since 2013. As a family-owned company, we support the children’s rights organisation with modern heating technology and a wide range of social projects. Because every child needs a warm home.
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