2012
CHARITY ORGANIZATION SERBS FOR SERBS
Monthly Report www.serbsforserbs.org
Monthly Report No. 1 January, 2012 Charity organization Serbs for Serbs www.serbsforserbs.org PO Box 34206, Chicago, IL 60634 Phone: +1-312-85-SERBS Website: www.serbsforserbs.org E-Mail: Office@serbsforserbs.org
Monthly Report Dear friends and donors, Charity organization Serbs for Serbs registered in the state of Illinois in United States in Jun 2010 by the group of the Serbian youth. Charity organization Serbs for Serbs are a 501(c)(3) notfor-profit charitable organization. Donation is tax-deductible to thee extent followed by the law. On 30th September, 2011 we finally got the letter from department of the treasury (IRS) with tax exempt 501(c)3 approval. All donations to our organization donated from June 16, 2010 are tax deductible under section 170 of the Code. We are also qualified to receive tax deductible bequests, devises, transfers of gifts under section 2055, 2106 or 2522 of the Code.
About Us The mission of Charity organization Serbs for Serbs is to affect on consciousness of Americans, Serbs and their friends through planned projects, social and humanitarian activities in order to develop and foster better society for future generations and provide aid for underprivileged families in need. Although there are many humanitarian organizations ons and associations, help often doesn't reach the most jeopardized. Due to unnecessary administration, missing information and slow decision making, the delivery of aid arrives too late to the final consumers, or not at all. It is a sad and embarrassing, but true fact that more than 18.000 children daily die around the world because of starvation and malnutrition. ion. There, among us, the blind and deaf. We are witnesses of the bad demographic situation of our nation, ion, decreasing natality, increasing number of singles, abortions, accelerated aging of
www.serbsforserbs.org 2012 the population and generally bad economic condition of the households in Serbia, Republic of Srpska and other countries in the Balkan. An average couple has "fallen" on one child. Analysts warn that Serbs will become a minority in its own country in the following century if the nation, individuals and government don't wake up from the nescient in which they've fallen! On the other hand, nobody is talking about the families with many children which grieve by living in bitter poverty. Occupied by their everyday struggle for survival, they are being humbly in their desire for implementing rights which belong to them. Their life stories, fears and problems are identical, but almost invisible and unheard in order to gain the attention of the public, media and even state. That's why the idea of the Charity organization Serbs for Serbs arose. The organization rganization was formed by a group gr of young and trustful people, who are united by the common vision of helping families blessed by many children and who are aware of the fact that even a small help means a lot for those who don't live in a material excess. We are united by the humane idea to help the poorest part of the Serbian nation. Charity organization Serbs for Serbs try to revive the spiritless energy of the Serbian Diaspora which would be able to reinforce people of Serbian heritage as well as all good people throughout the world ld with minimal, but bu constant monthly donations. We hope and believe that there is also a grain of doing good and that you will join us in the endless e struggle against poverty. God bless and save all Serbian families with many children and our honored donors who participate in the noble effort to return smile on children faces.
CHILDREN ARE OUR FUTURE! www.serbsforserbs.org
Charity organization Serbs for Serbs www.serbsforserbs.org PO Box 34206, Chicago, IL 60634 Phone: +1-312-85-SERBS
Monthly Report
www.serbsforserbs.org 2012 • our donors are satisfied with the activities and they are ready to help other families; • our organization is satisfied with the results; • family is ready in the future to become our donor and if necessary help other families that are in need of help.
Ambitions
Our mission The mission of Charity organization Serbs for Serbs is to affect on consciousness of Serbian people through our projects and humanitarian activities, in order to develop better society for future generations. Why Serbs for Serbs? We wanted to alleviate impaired spirit of Serbian people in togetherness and brotherhood help through humanitarian work and social aid.
Who do we need in organization? We need members and donors that will secure financial stability through supporting our programs and activities in the future. Donors may join our daily activities within the organization in order to coordinate our work better. We also need volunteers ready to donate several hours per week for actual work within the organization. Activities of volunteers and their specific tasks would be determined by the required projects and their personal interest. From that group of volunteers we would look for future leaders of organization.
Who do we help? We help Serbian families who live in the Balkans, have five or more children and live in terrible poverty. How do we define “terrible poverty”? Under terrible poverty we define absence of one or more basic factors required for living: food, clothes, shoes, and safe space for living. Why do we help? We believe that there is a basic need for one human (or a group) to help others in distress. A help is not only human virtue but also a Christian responsibility. By focusing our help on families with many children, we directly affect on their stirring toward becoming independent from socialdependable government programs. Indirectly, we want to affect on birth rate of Serbian people that has been in great decline in last 20 years. What are our long term goals? • family is ready to support itself daily and manage to pay all required expenses and bills; • their children are encouraged to continue with school and raising their own family;
How to donate? 1. PayPal email: szsamerika@gmail.com One time donation to SFS 2. Monthly donation 3. Donate by Mail Serbs for Serbs PO Box 34206 Chicago, IL 60634 Make all checks payable to: Serbs for Serbs
Charity organization Serbs for Serbs www.serbsforserbs.org PO Box 34206, Chicago, IL 60634 Phone: +1-312-85-SERBS
Monthly Report THE HOLY LAND MUST BE GUARDED!
www.serbsforserbs.org 2012 donor evening. It was also supported by the great number of donors from Serbia, Balkans and all over the world. We use the opportunity to thank them on the financial donation and the donation in goods. We started the action in the rainy afternoon on 11th of January 2012, when we commenced our journey from Belgrade with great amount of clothing, footwear, blankets, toys, sweets and books we brought for the families we planned to visit. After arriving in Zvečan, we took a rest for a couple of hours so that we could continue towards Gračanica early in the morning, to meet our great friends from the Charity organization The Mother of nine Jugović, without whom this action wouldn't be conducted.
The representatives of the Charity organization Serbs for Serbs from USA and Serbia conducted 13th in a row charity action of the help to the Serbian families on the holy Serbian land – Kosovo and Metohija. In the scope of the big Christmas action, conducted in the Balkans, the accent has been put, as it has been the case so far, on the southern Serbian province. Serbian people, both north and south from the river Ibar is left to the will of God, and forgotten by its fatherland for which it is still fighting, enduring and suffering. But it is not forgotten by its brothers! The help our organization provided is as follows: – wood-burning stove: 11; – refrigerator: 9; – electric stove: 3; – couch: 18; – table: 7; – chairs: 36; – closet: 8; – washing machine: 5; – kitchen-sink: 5; – laminate: 65m2; – water heater: 2; – washing machine with caldron: 2; – goats and hens; – tractor plow; – clothing and footwear (Serbia and USA); – sweets; – medicines for Osojane in the amount of 110,000 dinars; – reconstruction of the house for the Filić family. Christmas action in Kosovo and Metohija was supported by the Circle of the Serbian sisters from Amsterdam (the Netherlands) and Serbs from Windsor (Canada), who were gathering the money for the action in the
Our first stop was the town of Štrpce, completely isolated in the south of Serbia. We visited five Serbian families in Štrpce: Pavletović, Kostić, ðorñević, and two families Tanasijević. The first family we visited was a three-member family Pavletović, consisting of the father Veselin, mother Tatjana and their daughter Anastasija (5). In an accident which took place on 9th of May 2011, ther family home was burned, but now it is almost completely reconstructed thanks to the help of the municipality. There is nothing in the house but walls and a floor, so we decided to get them the necessary elements for the household: wood-burning stove, combined refrigerator, 2 couches, closet, table and chairs and a washing machine. That will enable them to live in their home, because they are on their relative's house at the moment.
The next family we visited was the family of Stojimir and Ljiljana Kostić, and their three children: Anica (19), Ljubica (18) and Blagoje (15), all highschool
Charity organization Serbs for Serbs www.serbsforserbs.org PO Box 34206, Chicago, IL 60634 Phone: +1-312-85-SERBS
Monthly Report pupils. The parents are unemployed, so the family lives from the social and child benefit. With the help of the Ministry for Kosovo and Metohija, they managed to build a house of 50m2 next to the temporary house they live in now. The new house needs water and electricity. Like in the case of the previous family, the house is completely empty, so we decided to get necessary household elements as well: wood-burning stove, kitchen, chairs, combined refrigerator, 3 couches and two closets.
In the vicinity of the Kostić family we visited the family home of the ðorñević family, consisting of the parents Marko and Stojanka and their three children: Kristina (4), Katarina (3) and Milorad (1,5), and grandmother Milica (62) lives in a household with them. The family lives in a house that was built over 100 years ago, and it seems it might be crashed down in any time.
www.serbsforserbs.org 2012 they asked if we could get them a cow to become economically independent.
The last two families we visited in Štrpce were the families of the brothers Ranñel and Slaviša Tanasijević. Ranñel lives with his wife Jelena and four children: Jovana (13), Ivana (10), Tijana (8) and Jovan (5) in one room, while the rest of the house has only the basis. Due to the problem of the living space, we agreed with the host to help them in finishing the house, bathroom, and another room for the children at first, and the rest of the house later.
They managed to build a new house on their estate with the help of the municipality, but it needs several more construction works in order to become functional. Therefor, we decided to get them a laminate (65m2), wood-burning stove, 2 couches, a closet and a kitchen. The family is growing domestic animals, and Charity organization Serbs for Serbs www.serbsforserbs.org PO Box 34206, Chicago, IL 60634 Phone: +1-312-85-SERBS
Monthly Report Slaviša Tanasijević lives in the same yard with his wife Dejana and three children: Aleksandar (13), Anñela (12) and Tamara (8). They also live in humble conditions, so we decided to get them a refrigerator, wood-burning stove, couch and a water heater of 40 litars. We also visited the ambulance in Štrpce, and the employees told us that the state pharmacy hasn't recieved any medication for the last 9 months, so the Serbs must buy the medicines in private pharmacies. Therefore, we decided to try to satisfy at least part of the needs of this pharmacy, since Serbia and the Ministry for Kosovo and Metohija can't (or won't) do that.
www.serbsforserbs.org 2012 provide them better conditions for everyday life. The family will need a new house, and it will cost over 13.000 EUR. The next family we visited was the family Perić from the Vitina municipality. Father Zoran lives with his wife Božana, children Srña (18), Maja (15) and Lidija (10), and grandmother Bosiljka (90) lives with them as well. The situation in the house is very bad. We decided to provide them wood-burning stove, washing machine, couches, table and chairs, closet, refrigerator, bathroom tap, and perhaps we will get them several hens.
We spent the night in Gračanica, and prepared for further visit to the families. We spoke to the bishop of Raška and Prizren, Teodosije, and agreed to develop small economic facilities on Kosovo and Metohija to secure the job and income to the families. That could also enable partly return of the exiled and expelled Serbs on their homes, where they could work. All the projects will be conducted in cooperation with the Eparchy of Raška and Prizren. After the blessing for our further work, we moved towards the municipality Novo Brdo, where we visited the family Dičić from the Straža village. Father Milovan and his wife Violeta lives with their children Jovana (13), Jadranka (12), Marina (10) and grandfather Ilija (77), grandmother Ljubica (76) and their cousin Dragan.
The family lives in difficult conditions, without the water in the house, which could be crashed down in any moment. We agreed a temporarily help for this family, the household elements: wood-burning stove, washing machine with caldron, table and chairs. We also brought tractor plow and several goats and hens to
The next family we visited in the Vitina municipality is the family of Srñan and Jelena Pržić, who have two children: Anastasija (3) and Kristijan (1,5). The family lives in a ruined house, without bathroom. We will get them a wood-burning stove, refrigerator, washing machine, table and chairs. There is a possibility, if we raise enough money, to help them build a bathroom and buy them a cow.
Charity organization Serbs for Serbs www.serbsforserbs.org PO Box 34206, Chicago, IL 60634 Phone: +1-312-85-SERBS
Monthly Report
www.serbsforserbs.org 2012 wood-burning stove. In order to bring the water from the well to the house, a pump is required, and we will try to get it in the next action of help to this family. Nebojša and Vera Stojković have four children: Sanja (14), Maja (12), Dostana (10), Anñela (5), and the fifth child on the way, because Vera is pregnant. We provided sink, couches, refrigerator, closet and we also helped them to close the outer door in order to get another room in the house. They told us they could grow a cow, but we will have to postpone buying of a cow due to the lack of money.
Mother Jelica Simić lives with her three sons, Saša (33), Ivica (30) and Ljubiša (29) and daughters Sanja (20) and Maja (24). They live in humble conditions, but they manage to survive somehow. We brought them a washing machine, couches, table and chairs. In the house of the Ilić family, a single mother Milijana lives with her daughter Anastasija, whom we visited in the previous Christmas action 2011.
The last two families we visited in the Vitina municipality were Branković and Cvetković. There are also Vladimir and Srebra and their children Stefan (6), Tijana (12) and Sava (16). We provided them a washing machine with caldron (because they don't have the water), refrigerator, table and chairs and
Family Branković consists of the father Trajan and mother Violeta with their four children: Aleksandra (17), Zorica (16), Sanja (13) and Tijana (6). We agreed to get them: wood-burning stove, closet, sanitary elements for the bathroom, table and chairs. We should
Charity organization Serbs for Serbs www.serbsforserbs.org PO Box 34206, Chicago, IL 60634 Phone: +1-312-85-SERBS
Monthly Report
www.serbsforserbs.org 2012
emphasize that the family is trying to finish the house on their own, and that they need any help they could get. Zoran and Vera Cvetković are raising four children: Božidar (20), Miljan (17), Milan (12) and Andrijana (9). We brought them: refrigerator, washing machine, showcase, sink and electric stove.
After visiting the families we returned to Zvečan and welcomed the Orthodox New Year with our friends. Our friend, father Bogomir Stević, asked us to provide help for the church of St. George in Zvečan, woodburning stove, water heater, sink and electric stove. Early in the morning on the following day, together with our friends from the Foundation of the Law school, „Smile on gift“, we went from Kosovska Mitrovica to the village Osojane in Metohija. We donated the holiday packages to the children in the elementary school Radoš Tošić, and witnessed a touching scene, when the pupils, as a sign of their thank, sang a song Far, far away (Tamo daleko), in the presence of their parents, relatives and the soldiers of KFOR. After a short break, we went to the ambulance in Osojane and donated medicines and medical supplies, which should be enough for the following several months.
We sent goodbye from our friends from Osojane, and „Smile on gift“, who went to Orahovac and Hoča. The representatives of the SfS went to Peć and the Patriarchy, and talked to the sisterhood about the history of our sanctuary. Near Peć, we visited the village Belo Polje, where there are only a dozen of Serbs. After that we visited the monastery Visoki Dečani, then back to Mitrovica and Belgrade, where we arrived early in the morning. The summary of the action on Kosovo and Metohija is as follows: the state of Serbia is absent, and its institutions are absent too in the south of the holy Serbian land. Charity organization Serbs for Serbs, in cooperation with the Eparchy, the organization Mother of nine Jugović and other fraternal associations can provide urgent need for the endangered Serbian families up to a certain level, but the institutions are very much needed to improve the living conditions of the remaining Serbs. We don't want to finish our action in a pessimistic behaviour, so it is going to start, in cooperation with the local population, Church and all the organizations and associations worldwide, with the preparation and inception of the small economic production facilities, to enable the employment of capable workers and
Charity organization Serbs for Serbs www.serbsforserbs.org PO Box 34206, Chicago, IL 60634 Phone: +1-312-85-SERBS
Monthly Report contribute to the survival and return of the Serbian population to their homeland.
Until we realize the big projects, we will continue to help to several families all over Kosovo and Metohija. Although we managed to assemble over 300 donors from all over the world, the estimated budget for this action was 20.000 EUR. After the increasing of the amount of money in the next period, we will finish one after another financial constructions. Charity organization Serbs for Serbs wants to thank again to all the donors and friends of the organization which allowed us to provide necessary fraternal help and support to several dozen families and Serbian children.
www.serbsforserbs.org 2012 NEW DONATION FOR OSOJANE IN METOHIJA
After the request sent from the village Osojane from Metohija, to get them a vehicle for the needs of the local health center, the HRH Crown Princess Katherine Humanitarian Foundation provided a donation in the form of the field vehicle for emergency cases. The Charity organization Serbs for Serbs decided to secure the vehicle, in order to prevent the repeated stealing by the Albanian gangs. It thus provided, in cooperation with the ZEDER company, the modern security system for this vehicle.
The donation should be delivered during the following weekend in Osojane. Apart from the vehicle, the health center will need a garage, which should be an additional guarantee that the vehicle will remain in the ownership of the health center.
Children are our future! No surrender!
We use this opportunity to thank again the Zeder company for the donation of their most prominent security system.
Charity organization Serbs for Serbs www.serbsforserbs.org PO Box 34206, Chicago, IL 60634 Phone: +1-312-85-SERBS
Monthly Report ST. SAVA'S DAY WITH THE SERBS FROM OLD SERBIA
www.serbsforserbs.org 2012 After the visit to the monastery, we arrived in Kumanovo at our friends', who helped us organize the action of the visit to the families, and who will help, in the future period, to deliver the help we provide. The first family we visited was the family of Dalibor Serafimović, whom we helped several times before. The family still has problems because of the health condition of little Milena, although it has been significantly improved after two operations of kidneys. One of the problems the family has is the lack of bathroom, so we decided to get them the material to equip a bathroom. We also promised to help during Milena's comings to see a doctor in Belgrade, according to our possibilities.
In the scope of the great Christmas action, immediately after the celebration of the St. Sava's day, we visited Old Serbia. By this visit we unofficially finished great Christmas action, which we commenced in the beginning of December. We visited a total of 5 families from Staro Nagoričane and Tabanovci near Kumanovo. Because of the other actions conducted within the Christmas action, the visits to the families Serafimović, Nikolić (Staro Nagoričane), Trajković Goran, Trajković Sveta and ðorñević (Tabanovce) were only of informative character. We become acquainted with the problems and needs of these families, and we will treat them in the months ahead of us.
A good deed wakes the best in people, and that was precisely the case with Dalibor Serafimović. He suggested we should visit the Nikolić family, consisting of the father Marijan, his wife and four children: Tamara (11), Rosa (10) and a newborn twins Luka and Luna (4 months old).
Like many times before, we used the action to visit one of many Serbian sanctuaries. This time we visited the monastery St. Prohor Pčinjski. It has been a place of gathering and help to the Serbian people in the difficult times, and it kept its role today. Charity organization Serbs for Serbs www.serbsforserbs.org PO Box 34206, Chicago, IL 60634 Phone: +1-312-85-SERBS
Monthly Report Although the family lives in a decent house, only one room is suitable for life, and the whole family sleeps and spends its time in that room. Father Marijan seems like a hard-working and capable host, who has done most of the construction works in the house by himself. Unfortunately, the family doesn't have a bathroom. The family has expressed the desire to breed pigs, so our potential help might focus on that. The youngest need a double decker bed.
www.serbsforserbs.org 2012 walks. The sum she mentioned is a minimal one to provide the prosthesis which could help her in the normalization of her life. Apart from that problem, this family doesn't have a bathroom nor a washing machine. We hope we will be able to provide material for the bathroom, and thus help their living conditions.
In the Serbian village Tabanovce we visited the families of two brothers Trajković – Goran and Sveta. We have already helped the family of Goran, because we bought the washing machine the last time we visited them, on which they thanked us again. The situation in these two families resembles the situation of the Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija, due to the immense poverty. We agreed to help Goran's family by getting the pigs for breed, as well as tables and chairs. We visited the family of Sveta Trjković for the first time. There are two children in the family, Kristina (12) and Mario (7). We found out they need a washing machine, a water heater and the material for the reconstruction of the chimney. The children asked us to get them a wall clock and a small tape recorder, which testifies on the poverty of this family. As we promised, we will try to fulfil their demands.
We also visited the family of Stojanče and Kalina ðorñević, who live near families Trajković. They have two children, Lidija (16) and Zlatko (12). When we asked them what they need, and how we could help them, we were surprised by Lidija's answer, because she instantly said they needed 2,000 EUR. We were caught for a moment, until she explained it to us. Lidija has a problem with her leg, possibly a consequence of the doctor's mistake. One of her legs is shorter than the other, which is causing her great problems when she
We complited the action on the celebration of St. Sava's day, held in Kumanovo. Like in several times before, when we visited the Old Serbia, we use the opportunity to visit the memorial charnel Zebrnjak, a sanctuary dedicated to the victorious Serbian army in the Kumanovo battle of 1912. This year in October is a 100th anniversary of the battle, and a great manifestation is planned for that occasion.
The position of the Serbian people in Old Serbia is still very difficult, and they face everyday discrimination. We can be encouraged by the growing national consciousness of our people in that area, but the Serbian state and governmental and non-governmental institutions must provide additional help in order to strengthen the position of the Serbian community in Old Serbia.
Charity organization Serbs for Serbs www.serbsforserbs.org PO Box 34206, Chicago, IL 60634 Phone: +1-312-85-SERBS
With the faith in God! Predrag Marinković
Monthly Report SFS ON GOLIJA AND ROGOZNA
www.serbsforserbs.org 2012 action, is completely functional, so Radmila doesn't have to bath the children on the stream.
On Sunday, January 22nd, the activists of the Charity organization Serbs for Serbs, together with the friends from the Raška area, successfully conducted sixth in a row action in the Raška area. This time we helped four families from the mountains Golija and Rogozna and from Novi Pazar, in the amount of 126,160 dinars. Due to the bad weather conditions, we postponed the planned visit to two more families for the next big action. We provided the following items: – cow-in-calf – 75,000 dinars; – groceries – 15,250 dinars; – 10 packages of footwear for the children – 18,000 dinars; – 10 gift packages – 7,000 dinars; – wardrobe and books for the children; – costs of the action – 10,910 dinars; Total amount: 126,160 dinars. We must emphasize that a donor sent 41,000 dinars for buying a cow to the Komatina family, and also that the students of the Faculty of economics collected 10,000 dinars for the family Balović.
Due to bad weather conditions, we went from Golija to Novi Pazar, and visited two families we have helped before: family Božović, consisting of the father Radojica, and the children: Ivana (17), Stefan (15), Jelena (12) and Anñela (6), and family Vuksanović, consisting of the parents Srdan and Snežana, and their five daughters: Milica (18), Milena (16), Miljana (14), Vanja (12) and Vinka (9).
We commenced the action early in the morning, by climbing on the snowy Golija, and by transfering the cow to the family Komatina. The members of the family are Radmila and Vukosav, and their six children: Nemanja (16), Miladin (14), Aleksandar (13), Anñela (8), Danijela (6) and Marko (3). The family couldn't hide the thrill. They were very happy we brought them a cow, and mother Radmila couldn't hide the tears. While we were playing with the children, who were happy to try the new footwear and open the gift packages, the hosts gave their best to welcome us properly. We made sure that the bathroom, which was equiped in the previous Charity organization Serbs for Serbs www.serbsforserbs.org PO Box 34206, Chicago, IL 60634 Phone: +1-312-85-SERBS
Monthly Report
www.serbsforserbs.org 2012 new house, but he didn't have enough money to continue. The family grows some cattle, and we will try to make a project to provide them humane conditions for life.
We brought gift packages and books for these children. All the children were very happy, they were telling us about their adventures from school, and assured us they were good pupils. The last family we visited was the Balović family, living on the mountain Rogozna in the village Rajetiće. The family has six members: father Tihomir, mother Milica and children: Kristina (6), Sara (8), Veljko (12) and Verica (13). We brought groceries, footwear for the children, gift packages and wardrobe from Belgrade and Novi Pazar. Nevertheless, the children need more wardrobe, backpacks for school and school equipment.
Poor children from the Raška area aren't that much different from their peers we visited in other parts of the Balkans. We could see purity, modesty, sincere gratitude and immense happiness on the faces of these children, provoked by the feeling that they and their parents are not alone, and that they can have a hope of happier childhood.
The house of the Balović family is in a bad condition, it is old and looks as if it could turn down soon. The mother is often having epileptic attacks, including one while we were present, so she is not able to take care of the children. The father has a brain tumor, but he is a fighter, and he is constantly trying to provide a more decent life to his children. The doctors told him he doesn't have to take a surgery yet, but his health is rather bad. Tihomir recently bought 1,000 bricks for building a
In the name of the families we visited, we use another opportunity to thank the students of the Faculty for economics, the activists from the Raška area, all the donors and friends of the organization. We also thank, on our behalf, for the help in doing the most beautiful thing on the world.
Charity organization Serbs for Serbs www.serbsforserbs.org PO Box 34206, Chicago, IL 60634 Phone: +1-312-85-SERBS
With the faith in God, Miloš Golić
Monthly Report
www.serbsforserbs.org 2012
CHRISTMAS SFS ACTION IN VOJVODINA
Within the great Christmas action in the Balkans, on Sunday, January 15th 2012, members and friends of the Charity organization Serbs for Serbs visited the teritorry of the northern Serbia. We visited the families Vasić, Medić, Ljiljak, Danjek and Milutinović, to donate gift packages to the children, and provide the groceries. We spent 117,902 dinars in the action. We use this opportunity to thank the friends from Bački Jarak, who provided gift packages for the families Danjek and Milutinović. The help we provided consisted in the following: – – – – –
– –
groceries for the Vasić family – 23,688 dinars; gift packages for the families Vasić, Medić, Ljiljak (21 packages) – 14,700 dinars, groceries for the Danjek family – 20,253 dinars; double-decker bed, mattress and 2 closets for the Milutinović family – 50,584 dinars; gift packages for the families Danjek and Milutinović – donated by the friends of the organization from Bački Jarak; fuel and toll – 7,947 dinars; costs of the action – 730 dinars;
Nearby we went to the Medić family, consisting of the single mother and seven children. They were happy to welcome us, and they even woke up the one-year old Konstantin. These gestures of respect are very rare. The cutest moment was the thrill and smiles on the faces of the children while they were opening the packages.
Total amount spent: 117,902 dinars. The first family we visited was the family Vasić, a single mother with four children. We went to the market, and bought the groceries in the amount of 23,688 dinars. After that we saw that the children are doing the homework on time, despite the cold, so we delivered them the gift packages.
Charity organization Serbs for Serbs www.serbsforserbs.org PO Box 34206, Chicago, IL 60634 Phone: +1-312-85-SERBS
Monthly Report
www.serbsforserbs.org 2012
Family Ljiljak, from the village Neuzine, also showed us respect, because although they don't have enough for themselves, they are happy to welcome the guests. Apart from the hosts, we could only see the youngest children, because the rest of them were fulfilling their tasks. This family is a true example of how the spirit and fellowship of the family are cherished.
The last family we visited that day was the family Milutinović, five boys and a girl. Some of them have various disabilities, and all of them have very little experience and knowledge about the life outside the space in which they live. Therefore, meetings like this one, socialization and plays bring them smiles.
This hardworking family has the intention of increasing the food production, so we talked to them about the help in the distribution of the products. After a short journey, we arrived in the Ravno Selo to visit the Danjek family. We provided groceries for them, in the amount of 20,253 dinars. The curious girls were happy to meet us and open the packages.
Goodness is the only treasure which increases by giving it! With the faith in God, in these good guys, the poor who can enrich the others... we move on!
Report: Mirjana Stevanović, Serbia
Charity organization Serbs for Serbs www.serbsforserbs.org PO Box 34206, Chicago, IL 60634 Phone: +1-312-85-SERBS
Monthly Report
www.serbsforserbs.org 2012
CHRISTMAS SFS ACTION IN BELGRADE –FAMILY KOSTIĆ
In the scope of Christmas action, a representative of the SfS from Belgrade and his friends visited family Kostić in Bežanijska kosa on 10th of January. We brought seven present packages and a vacuum cleaner in the amount of 9,200 dinars. In addition, part of the debt for electricity is paid in the amount of 36,000 dinars.
The help consisted of : • seven packages – 4,900 dinars; • a vacuum cleaner – 4,300 dinars; • part of the debt for electricity – 36,000 dinars; Total – 45, 200 dinars. Each child received a present and an icon, and they put the presents and a vacuum cleaner under the Christmas tree. In the conversation with the parents we found out that the transportation business is being developed, and that the money they earn means a lot to them. Our visit was short, we send goodbye to the family until the next visit.
Charity organization Serbs for Serbs www.serbsforserbs.org PO Box 34206, Chicago, IL 60634 Phone: +1-312-85-SERBS
Monthly Report
www.serbsforserbs.org 2012
CHRISMAS ACTION CONTINUES IN BELGRADE – FAMILIES ATANASKOVIC AND VRANIC
The Christmas Action continues! We visited two more Belgrade families in the suburbs of Vinca and Mali Mokri Lug. First we visited the Atanaskovic family who we’ve helped before and then we visited the Vranic family, who we are helping for the first time by delivering basic home necessities in the value of 20,000 dinars (aprox. $240). We took the opportunity to deliver to all of the children holiday packets and small icons. This was all to be part of the overall Christmas action plan occurring in Kosovo & Metohija, Krajina, FYR Macedonia, Raska and Vojvodina. The four person Serbs for Serbs team first headed for Vinca to visit the Atanaskovic family. We were greated by the mother Dragica and her four dear children. We have previously visited the Atanaskovic family to deliver help so this time we visited to deliver holiday packets to the children, to their extreme delight. While the children were looking through their holiday packets, their mother Dragica was showing us their new, properly installed electrical wiring, so that now they can finally relax and not have to worry about their home setting on fire. We remind you that until recently, the Atanaskovic home has absolutely horrible electrical wiring. Unfortunately, the situation is still dire as that the mother is still struggling to provide for her family. Towards the end of our visit it was time to take a few group photos for which the little Atanaskovic children split into two camps, Red Star and Partizan. Ultimately, Ljeposava did not want to take a photograph together with her brother while he was wearing a Partizan scarf. After a little persuading, her brother finally gave in to his sister and showed he was a true gentlman.
Charity organization Serbs for Serbs www.serbsforserbs.org PO Box 34206, Chicago, IL 60634 Phone: +1-312-85-SERBS
Monthly Report
www.serbsforserbs.org 2012
We continue on toward Mali Mokri Lug to visit the family of Dragoslav Vranic and his 10 children. We previously visited the Vranic family back in December. This time we decided to deliver them some basic groceries/necessities, hygiene products and diapers in this time of cold weather. For this help, we set aside 20,000 dinars (aprox. $240).
After finishing the shopping, we all sat and spoke with the Vranic’s in their home. Of course, here too we provided holiday packets and small icons for all of the children which brought great joy to all of the kids. In completing our mission here, were given a beautifully decorated bottle for rakija as a gift. With thanks, we say our goodbyes to the Vranic’s and slowly head out.
Expenditures for the action: • 14 holiday packets: 9,800 dinars (aprox. $ 120), • basic groceries and necessities: 20,000 dinars (aprox. $240). While we are returning home, we are filled with satisfaction because of yet another completed mission in a line of many. We are also giving words of thanks to all of the good people worldwide who are allowing us to bring smiles to faces of all of these children. This is just one small part of the many planned activities for this months Christmas Action. Soon you can expect more reports from different parts of the Balkans where there are Serbian people and unfortunately many social and other problems. While remaining still, nothing can be accomplished, that is why we will continue to work together, fully committed. Charity organization Serbs for Serbs www.serbsforserbs.org PO Box 34206, Chicago, IL 60634 Phone: +1-312-85-SERBS
Monthly Report CHRISTMAS ACTION IN THE STAMENKOVIC HOME
www.serbsforserbs.org 2012 We had a brief conversation with the father Vitomir and mother Nedeljka, who expressed their gratitude for our organization and all of the donors who provided them with help. We have visited the Stamenkovic family twice before when we helped them with groceries, hygiene product and other basic necessities. Not being able to stay any longer, with say our goodbyes to the Stamenkovic family and promise we will come to visit again. List of items obtained for help: • Refrigerator-freezer – 24,000 dinars (aprox. $290); • Vacuum cleaner – 4,700 dinars (aprox. $57); • 7 holiday packets – 4,900 dinars (aprox. $ 60); Total = 33,600 dinars (aprox. $410).
Members of the Serbs for Serbs organization from Beograd visited the nine member Stamenkovic family from Petlovo Brdo. During this visit, they were given a combination refrigerator-freezer (24,000 dinars, aprox. $290) and a vacuum cleaner (4,700 dinars, aprox. $57). The children received holiday packets and small icons. With this visit, we have completed our Christmas Actions in Beograd during which our members visited and helped 4 families. We are gathering in the afternoon, tired from previous evening New Years Eve celebrations. We arrive in Petlovo Brdo where the Stamenkovic family is anxiously awaiting our arrival. The children were very excited by the holiday packets and immediately started peeking into them.
The humanitarian organization Serbs for Serbs from Beograd would like to thank all friends and donors who have contributed to the Christmas Action in which we were able to help 4 multi-member families and bring smiles the faces of 28 children. Children are our future! Never Surrender!
Charity organization Serbs for Serbs www.serbsforserbs.org PO Box 34206, Chicago, IL 60634 Phone: +1-312-85-SERBS
Monthly Report
www.serbsforserbs.org 2012
CHRISTMAS SFS ACTION – REPUBLIC OF SRPSKA
On Christmas Eve we conducted another sucesful action. Our plan was to cheer the youngest members of the families we helped so far, so we begun collecting the money for this action several days before. We collected a total amount of 480 KM, and we use this opportunity to thank our donors. Apart from the regular donors, the action was supported by the Cafe bar Tifani from Prijedor, Gynecology and birth department of the hospital in Prijedor, and the club supporter group Alcohol boys. We owe special thank to the brotherhood of the Klisina monastery and the biscuit factory Mira from Prijedor, which donated large amount of sweets which we brought to the children. We were divided in two groups. One group visited the Kesar family from the village Jutrogošte, and the other group visited the family Vučković for the first time, from the village Koprivna (between Prijedor and Sanski Most). The Kesar family was in a holiday mood. We got them the packages and a certain amount of flour, oil, pasta and hygiene. The money for the action was collected by our friends from the charity organization SD Zadužbina, who sent 125 EUR. We want to thank them in the name of the family Kesar.
Another group arrived in the Koprivna just in time to welcome the Christmas tree. We met with the father of the Vučković family, Draško, in front of the church. After a short introduction, we went to their house, where we were welcomed by Draško's wife Bojana and their six children – daughters Anastasija (10), Dajana (8) and Jelena (6) and sons Dragan (7) and twins Stefan and Aleksandar (3). The family managed to build a house with the help of the neighbors, and they are currently using only the ground floor. However, Draško told us how it was difficult to live without isolation, in the cold and moisture. Unfortunately, it left the consequences on the twins Stefan and Aleksandar, who lagged behind their peers. We gave the packages to the children, and got the know with the situation in the family. When we asked Draško about the future help we could provide, he told us that it was important that they are no longer cold, and that there are a lot of people who could use the help more. However, we found out that they had to sell a cow in order to pay the treatment of the twins, and that buying milk takes a lot of money. We will try to get them a cow as soon as possible.
Charity organization Serbs for Serbs www.serbsforserbs.org PO Box 34206, Chicago, IL 60634 Phone: +1-312-85-SERBS
Monthly Report
www.serbsforserbs.org 2012 Our next stop was the Zdjelar family. The host and the oldest son weren't at home, because they had to work, but the youngest were at home to receive the holiday packages.
After leaving the Vučković family, we visited the family Marjanović in the Petrovo village, whom we visited together with the first SfS group. The children were very happy to get the packages. Since we received the packages as a donation from the biscuit factory Mira and the monastery Klisina, we decided to spend part of the money for the Marjanović family on groceries in the amount of 210,35 KM. Another part of the money will be spent in one of the forthcoming actions. The amount we spent in the action: groceries for the families Kesar (255,87 KM) and Marjanović (210,35 KM); fuel (10 KM); Total 476,22 KM. In the end we call upon all the people of good will to join us in our further work, and our donors to continue with their donations. The smiles of the children we visited on Christmas Eve are their thanks, because we owe only what we give to others.
With faith in God! Friends from Prijedor
Charity organization Serbs for Serbs www.serbsforserbs.org PO Box 34206, Chicago, IL 60634 Phone: +1-312-85-SERBS
Monthly Report
www.serbsforserbs.org 2012
THE ĆETKOVIĆ FAMILY IN A BIGGER HOME FOR CHRISTMAS
The charity organization Serbs for Serbs from the Republic of Srpska and Switzerland, in cooperation with the fraternal organization Nemanjići Tićino and the Lopare municipality, conducted first in a row Christmas action in 2012. After several months of planning, the works on the home of the Ćetković family have been done, and now it is being spread, and protected from further devastation. Due to the low temperatures, the stairs couldn't be completely finished, but it will be done soon. The work on the enterier also needs to be done, and thus complete that part of the house. The representatives of our organization brought some clothing and sweets for the youngest.
The family Ćetković is thrilled and very grateful for the reconstructed home.
Charity organization Serbs for Serbs www.serbsforserbs.org PO Box 34206, Chicago, IL 60634 Phone: +1-312-85-SERBS
Monthly Report
www.serbsforserbs.org 2012
MATERIAL FOR THE BARN DELIVERED
Charity organization Serbs for Serbs provided part of the money for the complete construction of the barn in the household of the Pavlović family from Obudovac in the Republic of Srpska. The amount spent for the material was 1,150 KM.
That was the first step in a small economic project to help the six-member family Pavlović, in order to provide them the possibility to breed domestic animals and thus improve the social situation of this Serbian family.
Charity organization Serbs for Serbs www.serbsforserbs.org PO Box 34206, Chicago, IL 60634 Phone: +1-312-85-SERBS
Monthly Report THIS MONTH NO WORRIES ABOUT THE ELECTRICITY
It is with satisfaction that I write this report about yet another completed action. Satisfaction because this actions shows that more and more people are reading our website, that there are people than ever that want to help these large families, and that our organization is earning the trust of its donors.
www.serbsforserbs.org 2012 Families helped: 1. Vujevic Mile & Ljubica (Branjevo, 9 children); 2. Maric Zoran & Milena (Kozluk, 8 children); 3. Stanisic Milenko & Ljubinka (Osmaci, 5 children); 4. Petrovic Bozidar & Cvijeta (Bratunac, 8 children); 5. Filipovic Zeljko & Jelica ( Bratunac, 4 children); 6. Todic Mile & Snezana (Bijeljina, 5 children); 7. Todorvic Milos & Ljeposava (Lopare, 11 children); 8. Stevanovic Slobodan & Ranka (Lopare, 4 children); 9. Mitrovic Milosavka, (Lopare, 4 children); 10. Stojisic Slobodan (Lopare, 6 children).
Family Stojisic
Goran Ljubojevic, president of union subsidiaries Elektro-Bijeljina contacted us with a suggestion that his union deposit a certain amount of money into our account for us to, intern pay for electrical energy for ten families which are served in the areas of his union.
Since the families being helped have so many children, we believe that in this holiday month at least some of the children’s wishes can be made to come true since the families will not have to worry about their electric bill. In any way, we believe that we may have in at least some way made these 64 children a little happier.
Very quickly 600 KM (aprox. $400) was deposited into our account, which we, with the help of our previously mentioned donors, helped surprise ten families for who we paid 60 KM (aprox. $40) per family for electric utilities.
Once again, we would like to personally thank and in the name of these families thank Mr. Goran Lubojevic and his company. They are proof that everyone, individual or collective, can help contribute in this effort to make our children happy!
That amount covers approximately one month of electricity for one average home.
Report: Dobrina Kusmuk, Republic of Srpska
Charity organization Serbs for Serbs www.serbsforserbs.org PO Box 34206, Chicago, IL 60634 Phone: +1-312-85-SERBS
Monthly Report SFS HELPED THE BUJAK FAMILY
www.serbsforserbs.org 2012 care of the sow. We saw the pigsty and took photo of the sow.
On the Christmas eve, a representative of the SfS from Belgrade and his friend, in the scope of Christmas action, visited the Bujak family from Brodarevo (Prijepolje municipality). We bought a sow, 130kg weight, in the amount of 21,000 dinars. We arrived in Brodarevo early in the morning. A great number of people gathered in the churchyard of the St. Lazarus church to witness the ignition of the Christmas tree. We joined them and celebrated the Christmas with them.
We were thrilled with the sight we witnessed. In the home of the Bujak family, father Zoran and his family welcomed us. The oldest son Igor was absent, because he has to work in a restaurant in order to earn money for his family. Father told us he slipped on ice and fell on his knee, and his kneecap broke. He needs to carry the plaster on his leg for six weeks.
Since it started to snow, we sent goodbye to the hardworking family, who said many thanks to us. We felt very happy for having finished this action.
We brought a sow for them, and since they have had pigs before, they agreed that younger son, Ilija, will take Charity organization Serbs for Serbs www.serbsforserbs.org PO Box 34206, Chicago, IL 60634 Phone: +1-312-85-SERBS
With faith in God, Darko LojaniÄ?ić
Monthly Report GIFT PACKAGES FOR THE FRIENDS IN BOJNIK
www.serbsforserbs.org 2012 DONOR PANCAKES IN TUN
On Saturday, 21st of January, SfS branch in Switzerland organized the traditional Evening of the donor pancakes in the Stürredli restaurant in Tun. As always, it was an opportunity to meet our friends and donors, talk about the plans for this year, and summarize the impressions from the previous year. The total sum we collected was 600 francs!
The representatives of the Charity organization Serbs for Serbs visited, during the New Year's holidays, families Stanković and Nikolić from Bojnik, whom we have helped before, and will continue to help thanks to the support of its donors and friends. SfS donated gift packages to the children, provided by our donor and representative of the SfS from Switzerland, Maja J. These families are struggling with everyday problems, but we hope that we set a smile on their faces and gladden the youngest, because children's smiles and joy are priceless.
We want to thank our friends Mića and Mira Petrić, the owners of the restaurant Stürredli, who allowed us to use the place, and all the guests who took participation in the donor evening!
Charity organization Serbs for Serbs www.serbsforserbs.org PO Box 34206, Chicago, IL 60634 Phone: +1-312-85-SERBS
Monthly Report SFS VISITING THE UROŠEVIĆ FAMILY IN KRNJAČA
On January 29th the members of the Charity organization Serbs for Serbs from Belgrade visited the Urošević family in the refugee camp Ivan Milutinović in Krnjača, in Belgrade. The family consists of the unemployed parents Uroš and Ana, and their children Milovan (22), Dušanka (19), Biserka (17), Desanka Vera (15) and Marko (10). The family fleed from Zadar in 1991 during the war in former Yugoslavia. We only visited the family this time, and agreed about the future help. After the liturgy in the Church of St. Simeon Mirotočivi in New Belgrade, we went to visit the Urošević family. Although it was very cold, the father welcomed us in front of the barrack. We learned that they share the bathroom with another 40 persons. The conditions in the barrack are very bad, there is not enough hygiene, and that provokes the bacteria, infections and disease. The food in the camp is pretty bad, thus causing severe health problems to the members of the Urošević family. The youngest member Marko has problems with orientation and sight, so someone must always escort him to the special school and back. He needs to change up to three city transportation lines, and since they don't have enough money for the tickets, they are forced to travel without paying the tickets. Although the control has understanding in most of the cases, there were cases in which they received a penalty. It would be humane if the Belgrade city and public transportation company could help families like these. The Urošević family has no income, not even the child benefit due to the documentation problem, and their refugee status, despite the fact they have been in this
www.serbsforserbs.org 2012 camp since 1994. Both father and mother are incapacitated, and they use the sticks to walk. The father was wounded in a war, and suffered a car accident. Because of that, he has rods in his legs, and he walks with difficulty. The parents hope that they could find people of good will who could monthly provide some financial help to their family, and enable them to have groceries and hygiene to strengthen their health and immunity.
Apart from the direct financial help, the family Urošević needs a refrigerator, small stove, groceries, hygiene, linen, blankets... Our organization will try to provide the things we mentioned. As far as the financial aid, we call upon the friends and donors of our organization to contact us in order to connect them with the Urošević family.
We will finish the report with the verse of the famous poet Njegoš, cited by Uroš, a retired philosophy professor, when we entered his home: „Who understands, as if he had helped“.
Report: Stefan Jecmenica and Darko Lojanicic
Charity organization Serbs for Serbs www.serbsforserbs.org PO Box 34206, Chicago, IL 60634 Phone: +1-312-85-SERBS
Monthly Report Donors in January:
www.serbsforserbs.org 2012 32. Serbosi Kanada (CAN) - $450 33. Mladen Simic (TX) - $40
1. SZS Krajiska Braca - $100
34. Dusan Stojkovic (IL) - $30
2. Petko Petrovich (IL) - $20
35. Ivan Mihailovic (CA) - $50
3. Dragana Misljenovic (CAN) - $40
36. Andreas Fiotodimitrakis (NY) - $100
4. Danijela Skondric - $20 TOTAL IN JANUARY: $3,371 371
5. Jovika Gavric - $20 6. Milan Dobras (AZ) -$15 7. Milos Joncic (NY) - $40 8. Dejan Petrovic (IL) - $15
Number of donors in 2012.
9. Dragan Papic (CAN) - $100 CAD 10. Aleksandar Krsmanovic (NY) - $31 11. Ivan Aksentijevich - $25 12. Slobodan Vukovic - $30 13. Milan Milicic (CAN) - $100 14. Srdjan Ruzic - $30 15. N. V. - $100
40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0
16. Ivan Radulovic (NY) - $25 17. Goran Petrov - $20 18. Nenad Tesanovic (FL) - $40 19. Vesna Kostic - $100 20. Silvia Nunes-CVS - $1,000
Donations in 2012.
21. Christopher Petrovic (CAN) - $25 22. Sasa Lazarevic (IL) - $30 23. Zeljko Bajic (CAN) - $50 24. Mileva Zunjic - $200 25. Tamara Lezaic (MN) - $50 26. Alex Ilic (IL) - $15 27. RBC Herbal, Inc. - $100 28. Aleksandar Krsmanovic (NY) - $50
4000 3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000 500 0
29. Dragana Wagman - $40 30. Ankica D. - $25 31. A. S. (CA) - $250
Charity organization Serbs for Serbs www.serbsforserbs.org PO Box 34206, Chicago, IL 60634 Phone: +1-312-85-SERBS
CHARITY ORGANIZATION SERBS FOR SERBS
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