(INTERVIEW) Pediatrician Martin Bigec on 38 years in VIRC: "Parents have changed more than children"

Pediater Martin Bigec, 38 years after his first visit, returned to VIRC Poreč to care for new generations of children during the ten-day summer camp organized by the Youth Friendship Association. The camp, held in the Poreč Holiday Home, welcomed over 280 children from Maribor and Velenje, along with approximately 40 staff members and volunteers who looked after them. Among the medical personnel were two nurses and Dr. Martin Bigec, who had been part of the team since the opening of VIRC in 1988. Today, he once again found himself in the same place, offering his experience and calmness to ensure the well-being of the younger generation. When asked about him, he corrected the name with a smile: "Ah, Martin Bigec, volunteer with ZPM." After finishing his duties in the morning clinic, he shared insights into how the facility has evolved over decades and why camping plays a crucial role in helping children develop independence. Looking through the ZPM archive, which includes many articles from Večer, he recalled being present shortly after the center opened, when there was still little infrastructure. "Yes, I was here a few days after the opening, with the first group of preschoolers," he said. At that time, nursery school teachers accompanied their groups. However, soon afterward, nurseries could no longer send children because they couldn’t coordinate with services, where would the children go who didn’t attend the colony? So, the preschoolers came to VIRC in the first session. Despite this, he continued to participate regularly, sometimes alternating between locations depending on availability. He explained that while working in the preschool dispensary in Maribor, he was responsible for Punat via the Red Cross, whereas the school dispensary of the health home covered Poreč. He visited Poreč whenever there was a vacancy, often twice a year, once in Punat and once in Poreč. From 2008 onwards, he became a regular visitor. In total, that makes 38 years. During these years, much has changed. Trees have grown, the surroundings are more orderly, with Mediterranean plants, playgrounds, and facilities such as climbing walls, military-style areas, tents, small tents, and pools, all constantly evolving, always bringing something new. When asked whether children have changed or if there are noticeable health issues among them, he responded: "Honestly, I wouldn't say there's a fundamental difference. Children are children, they have physical and psychological challenges, clearly. More significantly, the parents have changed. We can feel a greater difference. It’s very good that we have limited communication, specific hours and through electronic media. Sometimes, mothers called asking how things went, but now they can follow what happens in the camp continuously. Those half-hours when children have access to phones, mothers tend to call more than the children themselves. This separation or distance between mothers and children continues to grow. We also notice this in registration for the camp, how parents increasingly feel a sense of responsibility or difficulty in leaving their child behind, wondering who will look after them. I think precisely in this context, the purpose of the camp is that children spend time away from their parents and learn to integrate into a group, respecting its dynamics and rules. They experience that they are not ‘I, here, immediately and alone,’ but rather that we are all together, that they must make their bed, wait in line for breakfast, check if they cleaned properly, organize their belongings, and manage hygiene items on their own. This is a very valuable experience for children. Many children who haven’t had such experiences find it difficult today to get even basic introductions to self-reliance." He also noted the changes in the work of caregivers and volunteers. "Perhaps expectations are higher now, and we’ve all become slightly more..."