Pupils' Shelter

A house for the little children of Palilula

One of Nikola Spasić's first charitable activities, before the founding of his great Endowment, was connected with the “Society of Children's Shelters” in the early 20th century. Seeing that many children came to school hungry and poorly clothed, he decided to take concrete action.

In the yard of the then Palilula Primary School (today Vuk Karadžić Primary School), Spasić built at his own expense a house intended as a “pupils' shelter”. It was a place where poor pupils could take refuge from the cold and receive a hot meal, clothing and footwear.

Awards for the best

He did not stop at constructing the building. Nikola Spasić also established regular annual financial assistance for the upkeep of the shelter, so that it could function without interruption. He also particularly valued knowledge and effort, and every year he awarded valuable prizes to the best pupils of this school.