This article originally appeared in Bosnian on the Caritas BiH website here
In cooperation with Caritas BiH, Musicians Without Borders organized various workshops and a special program for World Mental Health Day on 10th October, which is also the anniversary of Caritas’ Social Corners.
With Caritas BiH’s help, Musicians Without Borders can provide support to people on the move during Caritas’ Social Corners in reception centers across Bosnia and Herzegovina. Here, we deliver music-based workshops that bring joy, relaxation, and a sense of belonging to people of all ages.
In the Ušivak and Blažuj reception centers in and around Sarajevo, on October 10 2025, both the anniversary of Caritas’ Social Corners (spaces that provide support to people on the move) and World Mental Health Day were marked. Participants in both reception centers’ Social Corners were able to enjoy music workshops that are led by Musicians Without Borders through the Welcome Notes project. We are able to run these thanks to the cooperation of Caritas BiH.
To mark the occasions, participants from both reception centers had the opportunity to express emotions, relieve stress, and feel a sense of community through music. Both Caritas BiH and Musicians Without Borders are committed to providing equal opportunities and support to beneficiaries in different reception centers across Bosnia and Herzegovina, strengthening local social cohesion and enhancing emotional well-being among those housed there.
Social Corners in the temporary reception centers for migrants in Ušivak and Blažuj provide a safe and supportive space for educational, creative, and recreational activities. Through the guidance of professional musicians and music, the Welcome Notes project helps children and adults to overcome language and cultural barriers, strengthen emotional resilience, and build a sense of belonging. The workshops are a place of joy, creative expression, and psychological support, and at the same time, they give participants the opportunity to relieve stress and feel that they belong to the community.
“Music workshops are among the most visited activities in the social corners. Users always ask when they will be held again and are happy to participate. It is a moment when they can rest, relax, and enjoy music,” said Anđelka Matijević, Social Corner Coordinator at PPC Ušivak.
“Music brings people together and creates a space for togetherness and relaxation. Each workshop is a special opportunity for participants to express emotions and feel the joy of creation,” adds Anton Pešikan, a musician who conducts the workshops.
One of the participants, Ahmed, says: “Workshops are my favorite part of the week. I feel happier, more relaxed, and welcome.”
The importance of mental health cannot be over-emphasized, and activities like these show how much art and music can contribute to emotional well-being and a sense of belonging, especially for people facing the challenges of migration and life in reception centers. Caritas BiH continuously provides not only creative and educational content alongside Musicians Without Borders , but also counseling, support in everyday needs, and initiatives that strengthen social cohesion among beneficiaries, contributing further to their inclusion and well-being.
