As a professional scholar I feel the need to write keywords at the beginning. The key words that describe my experience with Nahla are progress, women’s activism, equality, warmth, support. For years, I have been attending at least one Nahla’s program in every moment. I resent myself for not realizing earlier that I have time for further training, despite college and exams. “I don't have time” is just an excuse. My experience at Nahla is not like the experience of learning anywhere else. I always go to Nahla thirsty for knowledge and I acquire that knowledge somehow “painlessly”. Nahla follows the trends, but not in that empty sense we often see today. Nahla provides real opportunities for education and training in the fields that are current and sought after in the labor market. In Nahla, I am never just another student, the lecturers do their best to meet all my needs and that I leave the program with the desire to enroll in another. And then another one. And so I got my second home in Nahla.

Although I had heard stories about Nahla from my friends for years, I first walked into its building in 2016. Until then I was dedicated exclusively to my children, everything else was in the background - career, free time, social life... Nahla opened the door to another world for me: a world of positive energy, socializing with women with different life stories, a world of support and mutual respect. Those two or three days a week were a time for me, my opportunity to learn something new, to relax, to share my own or to discover other people's experiences related to many areas of life. In Nahla I met wonderful women with whom I connected on different levels and I am still in contact with most of them today and I am very happy to spend the little free time that the average woman today actually has. On top of all that, for the rest of my life I will be grateful for something else: this is an organization that gave me the wind in my back to start a business that, without support, advice, guidance and concrete answers to all my doubts, I certainly would not dare to start.

For a several years my life could have been described by three words: a wife, a mother, a hosewife. I wanted to spend the first years of my child's life fully devoted to my family, and all of my personal interests, trainings, education and my job were left aside, waiting some better times. Whn my boy grew up, I wanted to learn again and to work on myself. Although I was sceptical about my success, I decided to apply for free vocational training for Administrative assistant in EC „Nahla“ Tuzla. I have been selected as one of 15 women who got the chance to attend this educational program. I was shy and non-communicative, but before everything else, I was striving for knowledge. I was observing other attendees and lecturers from behind and step by step, by time spent with them, I became more relaxed, aware of my cpabilities and qualities. Support, opennes and selfless sharing of knowledge that I discovered in Nahla's lecturers, employees and training attendees were crucial form my own development. After the training the change has become clearly visible . I've become aware of my knowledge, my capabilities and values. Soon after that, I've received a first inivitation for interview after which I 've got the job. I gain new working expereinces applying knowledge and skills from the training, and I am especially delighted because with this my family got the additional support and strenght to overcome all challenges. After one year from my first entrance to Nahla, I am self-confident business womand and happier mother of my son.

I came to Nahla for the first time as a high school student, when I left the orphanage and started living on my own. There, I found support, encouragement and directions for my professional orientation. Nahla continued to support me during high school and college days. Women who work in Nahla were my role models: educated, open-minded working to help other women and to educate them. I was thinking to myself: once when I grow up, I want to be like them. In Nahla, I’ve become aware how much as a woman I can contribute to change the world for better, keeping consistent with my values. Motivated by that I’ve decided to direct my life toward science, specifically toward physics and discoveries how to employ this part of science for purpose of general wellbeing. I have come a long way from a girl with no great prospects and chances to an adult who has a family, tries to contribute as much as possible in the field of science and thinks that she "became Nahla" - what she dreamed of from the moment she stepped into Nahla's arms.

Dear Nahla, thank you for being here for us. Since I discovered you, my life has changed for better. My self-confidence is back and now I want to go further than ever. With your different courses, I succeeded to find myself again. I combine creativity, something that always attracted me, with spirituality, which fulfills my soul. Lecturers and other employees show that they honestly care for each individual, that is why I feel that Nahla is a big family that I belong to. In Nahla I’ve learnt a lot through lectures, gained new friendships, met many good people and achieved certificates for numerous courses attended. I will continue to visit Nahla and to go further. Dear Nahla, I want you a long life and to be there for all of them in need.

For the first time in my life, in Nahla I felt that I owe to my community: to give myself and from myself as much as I can. That experience was even more important since I realized that through the prism of Islam. I comprehended that to live by trusting God and believing in God does not mean only nurturing the relation between God and myself, actually it is very important what is like the relation between me and the community – the way how I spend my life God trusted me with. This motivated me to devote my time to volunteering in my community more intensively, to contribute to changes, as much as in my power, and raise awareness of young people that for better tomorrow they need to fight and work harder For me, Nahla is a starting point for change and home where I always come back knowing I will be welcomed. Something like stimulating mentor, someone who is always there for the advice and support for each new, creative, useful idea or just a place where you can always come back to.

First time I discovered Nahla was about ten years ago, when I was still a student. In that time I was searching for a place where I can practice and read quietly, in a safe space. In following years, for me Nahla was a place that, besides quality education, provides ambient for building own skills on one hand and relaxation on the other. Nahla's business academy brought a great change in my life since I've become aware of my entrepreneurial affinities and gained adequate knowledge and financial support to make first steps toward my business idea. My 5 month-old daughter was with me during majority of lectures, while my three-years-old son was happy to play in Nahla's playroom. During our breaks, my husband would bring me a snack because I was still nursing my baby. For me it was natural and I was in a surrounding that proved me that I was right about that. Nahla confirmed that what I need more than plain knowledge is a possibility to choose and combine roles I want. And that motherhood, career and self-realization don't have to be mutually exclusive, but instead I can choose to combine them so it can be useful not just for me but for all people in my life. Today I am proud CEO of my social business Teta pričalica and I am happy to have the opportunity to combine the roles of mother and entrepreneur and additionaly contribute to development of healthy individuals, future citizens of our society.

It is time of pandemic, 2020, my job as an infectious disease specialist implies working till the ultimate limit of a human endurance. While I visit my patients and help them as much as I can, I evoke the faces of all of those who provided support in some point of my life and who are the reason why I am here today. Memories from different parts of my life I shared with Nahla in past 20 years overwhelm me. I started my story with Nahla through various life experiences in second grade of high school. From year to year I worked on different projects, attended many courses, built friendships and shared my dilemmas there. Nahla was by my side in every crucial moment of my life: joyful ones as well as less pleasant ones; support in choosing my career path, life crossroads and most important life moments. Nahla was growing, so was I, together with her. She helped me so I can help her today and contribute to all those good things happening in there. As a doctor I was involved in establishment of Nahla’s health line that has become an integral part of Center’s activities. I animate my colleagues, specialists and doctors of medicine to get involved and contribute Nahla’s projects on protection of women’s health. I take part in different educational projects regarding my profession as well. While Nahla is entering its third decade of work, I am overwhelmed by fulfilling sense of gratitude to be part of its devotion to do good and to have opportunity to witness how people can serve to their community in different ways, as individuals and through institutions.

My story about Nahla is a story about my ‘firsts’ that lead me to follow the path I am walking today and where I am growing more and more from day to day. Sometimes I ask myself in which direction my life would go If I hadn’t decided to apply for that graphic design vocational training several years ago. For a long time I was thinking to apply or not, thinking it wouldn’t be the right choice for me. At the end, I’ve decided to prove myself wrong and to go out of my comfort zone. That is where my story on growth and change had begun. I enjoyed every lesson, everything we had done. Since informatics is my great passion, I wanted to renew that relationship, so I’ve started to research on User Interface (UI) and User experience (UX) design and I applied for that position in one It company in Zagreb (Croatia) that offered me opportunity to develop my skills in this field even more. When they heard about my aspiration to do graphic design, in Nahla they offered me a job of graphic designer. Job in Nahla’s marketing department was truly interesting and opened a window into a whole new world. Just after several months of work in Nahla, I received positive confirmation from Zagreb where I had been accepted to the position I applied for. My colleagues from Nahla had supported me on my journey of gaining additional knowledge, because – that is exactly what Nahla is: honest friend who is celebrating every single success of yours. After that, I moved to Zagreb for a fresh start: totally different experience, with different surrounding and my first relocation, but I persisted, because to give up meant to quit the journey I’d just started. Working in IT industry implies interesting and dynamic experience. Every day brings something different and every day that industry grows more and more and changes not just as itselg, but changes the world around. But what is constant is the importance of the wind beneath the wings in the right moment. The role of Nahla in my life will always be engraved in my life as an important milestone, when I became aware of myself and my capabilities, when I discovered a new, braver and proactive me. Nahla saw what I am able to do even when I wasn’t aware of that. That is what is needed for every young woman – to be truly seen and to show her the way to go.

I've become familiar with Nahla in 2011. This group of women provided me chance to fulfill my life desires. Useful programs on many scientific fields through different courses, modules, lectures and meetings I've attended enriched my life. What is especially amazing about Nahla is highly profound and intellectual approach toward topics, objective overview from different perspectives and provided opportunities for direct, fruitful discussions with most eminent representatives in our society, but also with renowned intellectuals from all around the world. Because of everything I experienced here, I feel Nahla as my second home. In Nahla I’ve met many friends and experienced the most joyful atmosphere while hanging out. As to employees as well as to us members, congratulations on 20 years of successful work whishing us to continue this way while feeling happy and satisfied.

In my life I won a great battle: a cancer. The way we live surely leaves consequences on our health. I was working as a tailor in one company. My job was very interesting, but what bothered me were bad interpersonal relations that took even the last atom of my strength. During that time, I found out I have a cancer. These moments are life changing. Absolutely. From that moment on, I started to understand myself in a different way, to comprehend my emotions and the way I function. In a strong sense I realized I have to do something for my body, but afterward I started to understand that even my soul, my intellect need their food too. That is how I discovered Nahla. First time I entered Nahla, a beautiful girl greeted me in such a nice way that I asked myself if we knew each other. That first time we met was filled with warmth and sense of belonging that lasts even today, and it is something I associate with Nahla. Nahla's programs encouraged me, planted a seed of a powerful thought: I can do it! What exactly? Things I wish from the bottom of my heart. The whole concept of Nahla provided me support on different levels, in many aspects. I realized that goals can be reached when you work for them and believe in what you do. I am endlessly grateful for unreserved support. Nahla embraces you. You know that feeling when you have a really difficult time and you need someone to hug you to make it disappear? That is what Nahla is doing.

First time I sit down to use the sewing machine was in Nahla, I was a beginner in every sense of the word. My mother was a tailor for years and she was trying to convince me to teach me how to sew and with this I made my mother's wish comes true. It was a destiny to fall in love with sewing on this course and in this place, and instead of attending a course for a month I prolonged it to 6 months. Sewing became my love, the thing I do every day and I enjoy it. Nahla pushed me forward and gave me a confidence that I can succeed in every segment of my life. There I was able to make my wish come true to do a job where I will have a flexible working hours, so my family is still a priority while watching my boys becoming adults. Nahla changed my professional life completely, because if it wasn't for Nahla and its sewing course today I wouldn't do a job I love.

Winter on a Sunday afternoon. For who else is that evoking a feeling of joy and motivation to work, at the same time? Honestly, that is reminding me of Nahla. I came to Nahla in search for education and improving skills, but after a month that became my safe place where I would run to every time I want to return to myself, to smile again and get rid of the stress, in spite of all workload, lectures and projects waiting for me. It is a rare case that you can meet a group of people/women who are successful, energized and full of an ambition, but at the same time, ready to share their and your success as well as the sorrow. Just recently my mom told me how she misses the time when I was going to Nahla and returning, every time, with a smile and beautiful stories on life, spirituality, or even culinary recipes. I wasn’t aware that this experience left such a strong impact on me, but as to many, to myself as well this year was truly hard and I was far from home without any possibility to come back. Several times it happened to me that I was sitting all alone in my room and only one photo would flash in front of my eyes – me, planting a flower as part of our eco-initiative in “Nahla”. I’ve decided to contact Nahla’s employees, who helped me online to overcome this hard period and to return my faith to myself. I really think that Nahla is my second home and one of the few addresses where I can charge my batteries to continue further.

I can say I grew up side by side with Nahla. From the moment I entered the Center as a high school student, thanks to activities I attended to such as Teen club, photography and German language courses, Youth club ‘Tignum’, I’ve started to become more self-confident, I’ve started to believe that still I can do something in my life, useful for myself and society around me. I’ve finished a highschool with excellent grades and I enrolled college. Before, it seemed impossible for me. Nahla was a starting point for me, every time I wanted to share my plans with someone, but also my achieved results. I know my success makes them happy as much as myself. Now, as a student and member of Youth club Tignum, finally I can give back to the society what I’ve received from Nahla. I achieve knowledge and skills I need to get involved in projects beneficial for the society, I volunteer and work occasionally.

The most important thing I realized in Nahla was that I have to learn how to love myself and take care of my health. Work on myself was a hard process, where you need to be surrounded by people who understand you and support you, and that is what I found in Nahla's fitness center. Due to many health complications I wasn't feeling well in my own skin, I didn't have any self-confidence nor perspective I can feel better. Although by nature I am cheerful person, I clammed up. One of the first steps I've done in order to make myself feel better was to start exercising. I didn't give up; every day I was coming from Hadzici suburb area to Nahla close to center of Sarajevo. I had to use two types of transportation means in both ways, even if it was snowing, raining or was really hot, I was travelling for hours just to come for an hour-long exercise session that day, which meant a lot to me. Every day, five times a week. I would be greeted with a smile and kindness, I was appreciated, and that encouraged me to be consistent and disciplined even more and to follow a diet. Soon, I'll become a mother. That is a dream I was dreaming about for years and now it is coming true. I have 20 kg less, I feel strong and ready. I laugh and I love my loife and I can't wait to hear my baby's voice for a first time. I've learnt how to love myself in this condition. I would never even think that enrolling fitness program would change my life this much.

It was summer 2011 when I visited Nahla for the first time. It was soon after my return from war-torn Lybia, where I had been living since 1993. I’ve become aware that I need to start my life from scratch. I was searching for an adequate surrounding and place where I will have an opportunity to learn even more and to improve my knowledge and skills, that is how I found Nahla. They welcomed me with a smile and soon explained me their activities I could attend. It was just in the middle of summer holidays, so I was eagerly waiting for September to discover new world and possibilities. That is how my own path of personal growth and development started with Nahla, and it still goes on. After numerous educational program in field of spirituality and psychology, I got interested in programs on parenting and Nahla organized one specialized training-for-trainers that directed me and motivated many intellectual processes and business ideas. I am especially grateful to Nahla for the opportunity I am getting from year to year, to learn from renowned professors and experts from different parts of the world and that was invaluable for my further growth and development. Nahla was always opened advice and conversation and by my side on every important crossroad of my life. Nahla was my main pillar to rely on, to guide me and support me.

Nine years ago path lead me to the place where I was excited to learn new things, improve myself and never give up of the fight for better tomorrow – the path lead me to Nahla. When I entered Nahla for the first time, I couldn’t imagine that I will become so much better with its help and that I will gain that amount of knowledge. Two years ago an advertisement on Nahla’s free vocational training for community management brought my attention. I was delighted, I saw a unique opportunity since I couldn’t afford such an educational program nor any similar one in other centers. Program was intended for unemployed persons and for me it meant possibly the first step to my full-time employment. Through every day of hard work followed by support and understanding, I was discovering my possibilities and capabilities and detected what to improve in future. I got close with two attendees from the group: one of them was better in graphic design and the other one in photography. We found a marketing agency for management of online communities on social media channels, creative strategy development, media communication, influencer cooperation, but also many other activities that give the “voice” to the brands we represent. But, what I know today is that I couldn’t imagine my life without Nahla. I found true friends and I finally have a job I love.

After I got disappointed by desperately searching for jobs related to my profession, I got a business idea out of nowhere. I was learning how to use CNC machine so I've decided to start making wodden eco-toys, which are healthier, sustainable and safe for children, made of our wood, without dangerous colors and chemicals. I recognized Nahla as an adress where I can find a support and know-how for business development. I was already following Nahla's work and talked about them with others, daydreamed about attending them. I was so happy when they called me to inform me I've been accepted to Aademy of women's entrepreneurship. Nahla prepared me for the job market in a quality manner, I've gained needed knowledge, received support and motivation just when it was crucial for my growth, business registration and start of a serious production process. I've been operating my business succesfully for las three years, and I hope to expand to foreign markets, for which I've already had several offers. Nahla was a turning point not just in my professional life, but private one as well. Nahla introduced positive women to my life, the ones who think just like me, ones who work and want to work. Conversations over coffee with my friends became the conversation where I would talk them about what I've learned in Nahla and what women can achieve.

Wide specter of programs and activities in Nahla made an impact on part of my spiritual journey and professional development. Starting with School of Islam, then through other different educational and research programs, to the opportunity to coordinate Youth club 'Tignum' . Beside knowledge I gained, I met amazing women who inspired me and motivated to strive for the best version of myself. When you say Nahla, my first association is the surrounding where you find inspiration for activism and to change yourself contributing to positive changes in the local community and on a global level.

For the last three years, when I want to become a better person, I always somehow find myself in Nahla. I learn about myself a lot and about faith in myself. Then, I realize all creative moments of my mind and I get amazed by some new ideas that broaden my horizons. But, what I love the most is that I meet people, some just like me, while others totally different, but united around common goal: better individuals make better society. Nahla is a meeting point and place of hard work, creativity and reflections, ideas and changes. Nahla is my synonym for better version of myself.