Programme „Big Brothers Big Sisters"

Youth mentoring programme

International Programme

Lithuania

English

Parents, Policy Makers, Teachers, Young People.

The „Big Brothers Big Sisters" program came to Lithuania in 1995. It was initiated by the „Open Society Fund - Lithuania" and began in Vilnius. („Big Brothers Big Sisters" started in 1904 in the United States.

All children need someone who listens, understands, is supportive and can teach how to behave in various situations in life. In the BBBS program, the volunteer, the „Big" becomes such a person.

The basis of the „Big Brothers Big Sisters in Lithuania" program is the professionally supported relationship of an adult volunteer and a child, which helps strengthening the child, fosters the child's self-confidence and ability to interact positively with others, as well as care for oneself and others.

The mission of „Vilnius Big Brothers Big Sisters" is to promote, implement and develop the idea of an adult volunteer individually helping a child in Vilnius and Lithuania.

The Big and Little meets regularly. The BBBS Friendship Agreement is signed for one year. After one year, the Agreement is either extended for another year or ended upon agreement of the child, volunteer, child's parents or guardians and the program coordinator.

What do Bigs and Littles do?

Talk;
Go for walks in the city;
Draw, write lines of poetry, sculpt clay;
Bake cakes or make sandwiches;
Throw hoops, go to the swimming pool, ride bikes and skate;
Go to the movies, theater or ballet;
Just look at the sky and do nothing.
A „Big Brothers Big Sisters'" match is carefully monitored and professionally supported by rigorous standards and trained BBBS coordinators.

Participation in the BBBS program is free of charge for the child and volunteer.

This programme has sponsors in Lithuania, which are:
* Carnegie Social Initiative;
* Municipal Government of Vilnius;
* TEO LT;
* Department of Youth Affairs, Ministry of Social Welfare and Labor;
* Agency for International Youth Partnership;
* Lithuanian citizens who allocated 2% of their income tax to the Center.

Vida Drąsutė

Kaunas University of Technology

Project's "I am not scared" manager in KTU