serbs for serbs report february 2015

Monthly Report for February www.serbsforserbs.org 2015

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2015

Monthly Report for February

www.serbsforserbs.org

Monthly Report No. 2 February, 2015

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: [email protected]




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 is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit charitable organization. Donation is tax-deductible to the 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 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. There, among us, the blind and deaf. We are witnesses of the bad demographic situation of our nation, decreasing natality, increasing number of singles, abortions, accelerated aging of

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 was formed by a group 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 with minimal, but 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 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




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 help? We help Serbian families who live in the Balkans, have five or more children and live in 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 social-dependable government programs.

What are our long term goals?

• family is ready to support itself daily and manage to pay all required expenses;

• their children are encouraged to continue with school and raising their own family;

• 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.

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.

How to donate?

1. PayPal donation: [email protected]

2. Direct Deposit to Wells Fargo Bank account Please email us at: [email protected]

3. You can mail personal or business check to:

Serbs for Serbs PO Box 34206, Chicago, IL 60634

4. Donation boxes: BEOGRAD CAFÉ 2937 West Irving Park Road Chicago, Illinois Owner: Dule Pavlovic

NADA’S DELI & BAKERY 7316 West Lawrence Avenue Harwood Heights, Illinois

BALKAN BAKERY 541 South LaGrange Road LaGrange, Illinois Owner: Olja Igic

COMPASS FUEL STATION 8147 Joliet Road McCook, Illinois Owner: Roy and Maria Dobrasinovic

ST. NIKOLA CHURCH 4301 Prairie Ave.

Brookfield, Illinois

CITY FRESH MARKET 3201 W Devon Ave, Chicago, IL 60659




TOMIC FAMILY GET HOUSE FOR CHRISTMAS

The ten-member Tomic family from Mladenovac will finally get their home where they will be able to live and work. As part of their big CHRISTMAS ACTION, the Charity organization SERBS FOR SERBS started a

project of purchasing a small country estate in the village of Subotinac near Aleksinac, in the total value of 7,300 €. The estate comprises a house of about 100 m2 and 1 hectare of land with orchard, pasture, field and woods. The Tomic family consists of the parents Ivica and Sladjana and their children Aleksandar (23), Vojislav (21), Ivan (18), Milica (16), Katarina (13), Filip (11), Luka (6) and Milenko (4).

The house and estate in the village of Subotinac, soon-

to-be the new Tomic family home

The Tomic family has been living in a very difficult financial situation for several years and they have trouble providing enough food for everyday needs of their children.

Also, the Tomic family had bereavement in 2014 when their four-year-old son Djordje, who had suffered from cerebral palsy, died.

Mother Sladjana Tomic

‘Up until the tragedy, when I lost my son, the fight for survival was bearable,’ says Sladjana. ‘We were devastated when it happened. I feel that suddenly everything is falling apart and losing all meaning. I sit for hours at the cemetery and take care of my child. It’s hard for me go away and leave him there all alone. And when I get home, I feel total despair. I fear that we’ll end up homeless, because we didn’t pay off our apartment. We have big problems with Ivan, who suffers from epilepsy, and I have to be with him all the time,’ says Sladjana.’ I think our only salvation would be if we got a house in the country. We could work in agriculture and we would be able to produce food for ourselves. The children wouldn’t be hungry. We would all work on our piece of land. There, that’s my only dream of salvation.’

They are used to wearing old and torn clothes, and being without toys, CDs, video games, books and songs - without a single joy that every child deserves. These children had to get used to being hungry and sleeping on the floor, because they have only two beds in their apartment.




What is more, now they are struggling with accepting the truth that they did not have the money for little Djordje’s treatment and that their brother is gone. Five years ago, as Sladjana says, both she and her husband Ivica lost their jobs and they have been unable to get new ones ever since. No one could stay indifferent to the family full of starving children. The oldest one, Aleksandar, is a second-year student of Geography. He works at a pizzeria in Belgrade and manages to cover his college expenses.

The staircase at the entrance of the house

The room where the children sleep

The house and estate in the village of Subotinac, near

Aleksinac, in which they will soon move Tomici

As part of the big CHRISTMAS ACTION, the Charity organization SERBS FOR SERBS paid a deposit of 1,300 € to a house vendor in the village of Subotinac, and the remaining 6,000 € will have been collected and paid off in four installments by August, 2015, with the help of donors of the organization. We call upon all donors to SUPPORT the project of purchasing the house for the Tomic family, so that their children could make a living by working the land.

CHILDREN ARE OUR FUTURE! NO SURRENDER! SERBS FOR SERBS




SFS VISIT FAMILY PESIC FROM PIROT

Creative Pesic family

During January, members of the Charity organization Serbs for Serbs from Nis visited the six-member Pesic family from Pirot. The family consists of the parents, Momcilo and Irena and their four children, Matija (9), Sergej (8), Doroteja (7) and Amelija (4). Due to Momcilo’s vein problems and the impossibility of getting a job, none of the parents is employed. Hence, being a very creative family wishing to provide better living conditions for their children, they started a family business called “Our little family craft workshop”, and by doing handicraft, primarily intended for children, they wish to improve their financial situation.

One of the works of creative parents that want to

improve their material situation

Corner arise where the Pesic family works

The problem they faced at the beginning of September was caused by inadequately installed floors on the ground floor, as well as badly installed drain pipes in the kitchen. They noticed the holes in the living room floor made by stepping on the floor, which was made of softwood flooring strips with the linoleum covering the whole surface.

Destroyed under the house

When they removed the linoleum, they saw that the flooring strips had been installed on the bare ground and had completely rotted due to ground moist, and at the same time had made mold on the walls, leading to their dilapidation. At the same time, they noticed that the kitchen sink drain had made the kitchen moldy, and being twenty years old, it did not take long before it rotted and became unusable. This situation led to three rooms on the ground floor being completely destroyed.




Destroyed woodwork in the house

The second thing that is even more important for the Pesic family is the tools which they need to improve their business. Machines they are using now are worn out (two sewing machines), and the father, Momcilo would like to expand the business by woodworking, as he made his sons’ beds.

In agreement with the Pesic family, the Charity organization Serbs for Serbs made a list of the things that would be most useful for the family, so they could improve their living conditions and thus find a way out of the unfortunate situation in which they are at the moment.

Beds that dad Momcilo made for their sons

We call upon all people of good will to continue supporting the work of the Charity organization SERBS FOR SERBS and in this way help and give joy to numerous children who really need help.




AID FOR BESLIN FAMILY FROM KIKINDA

At the end of January, members of the Charity organization Serbs for Serbs visited the six-member Beslin family from Banatsko Veliko Selo near Kikinda. As part of the Christmas bells call for help action, the Beslin family was provided with a washing machine, fridge freezer and electric stove in the total value of 81,979 RSD. There is a very sad story behind this modest single-parent family consisting of the mother, Svetlana and her children, Nemanja (14), Mihajlo (11), Olja (7), Nikola (4) and Djordje (6 months).

Namely, the Beslins lived as tenants in Kikinda for 14 years, and since Svetlana is a refugee from Croatia, with the help of the commissariat of refugees, last year they managed to obtain a house in Banatsko Veliko Selo. When their wish of having a roof over their head finally came true and soon after they moved into their new home, they found out that the head of the family,

Radovan, had lung cancer. Svetlana was five months pregnant at the time and was the biggest support for her husband in the fight against this fatal disease. The fight lasted for several months before Radovan passed away at the end of July last year.

Old washing machine

The new washing machine will make everyday care for

the children a lot easier for Svetlana

The single mother, Svetlana, lives on welfare with five children. Her wish is to fix up this shabby house and provide better living conditions for her children. However, there are numerous expenses, her children’s education… She can’t manage all that by herself. But she is willing to work, so we are going to make an effort to help her wishes come true.




Worn-out electric stove

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New electric stove for the Beslin family

Talking to Svetlana and visiting the house, we took note of what they needed the most at the moment.

In the meantime, our friends from “PIP” Novi Sad provided them with two good Alpine goats.

Two weeks after the visit, with the help of donors, the Charity organization Serbs for Serbs provided them with a washing machine, fridge freezer and electric stove.

New fridge freezer

“A person cannot choose the time when to be born and when to live. They cannot control who their parents or their people will be, but they can control what their actions will be like at the given time: humane or inhumane, regardless of the people or the parents” (Patriarch Pavle, “Let us be humane”)




COW FOR KOSTIC FAMILY FROM ROGOZNA

As part of the CHRISTMAS ACTION, the Charity organization SERBS FOR SERBS delivered valuable aid for the six-member Kostic family comprising a cow and calf in the value of 1,350 €. The Kostic family, consisting of the parents, Radoljub and Danijela and their daughters, the twins Miljana and Jovana (11), Katarina (10) and Djurdjina (9), lives in the village of Rajetici on Mt Rogozna in the Raska district. We would like to remind you that we have finished one of our biggest projects in this village, the house construction for the Balovic family.

This family lives in hard conditions in a shabby house without a bathroom. Although they try hard and work their land, they barely manage to afford basic things for themselves and their children.

We hope that, when the girls see the cow and calf, it would bring smiles to their faces and that this aid will contribute to their a little better and safer childhood.

Once again, we express our gratitude to all donors and friends who have supported us in our ten-year fight against poverty. Thanks to you, we have been able to carry out another humanitarian aid action intended for families in the Raska district, and we feel even greater obligation to stick to our motto: CHILDREN ARE OUR FUTURE!




AID DELIVERED TO THE ST PETKA HOME

On Saturday, February 7, activists of the Charity organization SERBS FOR SERBS together with members of the Association of women from Serbia and Russia “Matrona” organized the action of humanitarian aid delivery to the shelter for females with developmental disorders within the monastery of St Petka Izvorska in the village of Izvor near Paracin. On this occasion, basic groceries were delivered, such as

oil, flour, canned food, groceries for food preparation, adult diapers and bandages in the total value of 115,000 RSD.

Representatives of AWSR “Matrona” and CO “Serbs for

Serbs” in the churchyard of the St Petka Monastery

The St Petka Monastery in Izvor near Paracin was founded in the second half of the XIV century, most probably as the endowment of one of the so called monks - Sinaits. During the Second World War, the monastery sheltered Serbian refugees who left the area of the then NDH. The monastery is under the protection of the Republic of Serbia, as a cultural monument of great importance and today is an active female monastery belonging to diocese Branicevo of the Serbian Orthodox Church.

There is also a hospital within the monastery for sheltering persons with developmental disorders.

Aid delivered to the St Petka Home

The “St Petka” Home, which operates as part of the St Petka Izvorska Monastery, is intended for females with severe developmental disorders and is a unique institution of social care, because state institutions intertwine with those of Serbian Orthodox Church. Nuns from the St Petka Monastery, who belong to the sisterhood of the Ravanica Monastery and employees of the Center for Social Work in Paracin have been engaged in the same task for more than 60 years. This example of the unique work of the social workers and nuns has given very good results.

Talking to mother Glikerija, prioress of the “St Petka

Izvorska” Monastery

“You must have strong faith, a lot of patience and love to be able to take care of people with developmental disorders. All of them like to be approached, and stroked; that is the most important thing for them. They don’t care about other very important things in ordinary life, but they crave love and attention. We calm them down with kind words and we live with them like a family. Then they liven up, they are in a good mood, they laugh; this gives them hope to live,” says mother Glikerija, who is in charge of the Home in Izvor and the St Petka Monastery.




The Home was founded in 1946, and the St Petka Monastery started the tradition of mixing the weak and the infirm in 1942 by accepting war orphans. At first beneficiaries were placed in the monastery dormitory, and in 1966 the Home building was built on the monastery estate. “Ever since I became a nun I’ve been caring for persons with developmental disorders at the Home. We got used to one another and can’t be apart. People who end up in the Home stay here for the rest of their lives. Their families visit them, and it often happens that, when their mothers come for a visit, they turn their heads away from them and look at us, the nuns.

Their mothers snap at them a bit, but these reactions are normal. We live together, and we share the good and the bad. We see the Home as our own home and we do as the Gospel says: As much as you have done to one of these my little brothers, you have done that to me. That’s our motive and we’re satisfied. We empathize with their pain and suffering, because they can’t express them,” explains mother Glikerija.

We address all donors who wish to send aid donations to the St Petka Home to contact mother Glikerija directly by phoning one of the following numbers: +381 (0)35 540 458 or +381 (0)540 568, Mobile: +381(0)65 2000 905, E-mail: [email protected]

NO SURRENDER!




SFS VISITING NIKOLIC FAMILY IN PRIJEDOR

On Sunday, February 8, members of the Charity organization SERBS FOR SERBS visited the six-member Nikolic family from Prijedor. We learned about the Nikolic family from the brotherhood of the Klisina Monastery, who introduced us to them, and after the Sunday liturgy we headed for the Nikolic family home. The Nikolic family consists of the parents, Danko and Snezana and their four children: Ognjen (12), Andrea (6), Marina (3) and Ratko, the youngest (1). During the visit, we saw that this is a very hard working and cheerful family.

The father of the family, Danko is from the village of Rakelici near Prijedor, and the mother, Snezana from Mladenovac. They met when Snezana came to Prijedor to visit her cousin; they fell in love and decided to start their life together.

They try to raise their children in the spirit of Orthodoxy and they regularly attend the Sunday liturgy. As they themselves say, the children are their biggest God given blessing, and God willing, there will be more. The oldest one, Ognjen is the only one going to school for now, and he is an excellent student, and in the fall, his sister, Andrea will join him.

The Nikolic family lives in their apartment in a housing development in Prijedor. They took a loan to buy the apartment and they have 14 years more to pay it off. The father of the family, Danko is employed and works on technical inspection, and beside Danko’s salary, the family receives child benefit. Although they don’t live on the verge of existence, after they pay the installment and utilities, and buy basic groceries, they are not left with much, so some things have to be put on hold. When asked about potential aid, they said that they had moved into an empty apartment and had had to manage for appliances and furniture. They got many things from their friends and family, but since their apartment is very small and the furniture is not custom made, they often lack space. They say that they would like to get two double-deck beds so they could make two separate rooms for boys and girls, and in the following period we are going to try to enable that.

Youngest member of the family, Rastko in his mom’s

arms

Once again, we have to give praise to the Nikolic family, because it is truly a real jewel nowadays and also a perfect example of what a Serbian family should look like and how it should function if we do not want the low birth rate to erase us from the geographical and historical map.

Also, we call upon all people of good will to support the work of the organization Serbs for Serbs in the way they can and give support to numerous families in need.




AID DELIVERED IN SLANCE MONASTERY

Having visited the Fenek and Rakovica Monasteries, the

Association of women from Serbia and Russia “Matrona”, with the support of the Charity organization SERBS FOR SERBS visited and helped the Slance Monastery on Friday, February 6. On this occasion, the value of the aid delivered was 68,000 RSD and it consisted of flour, oil, beans, canned tuna, tomato, mayonnaise, mustard and sour cream. Talking to the prior of the monastery, Andrej we found out that this Belgrade monastery feeds 500-600 people every Sunday and that any form of food aid is more than welcome.

New aid actions to monasteries in Belgrade and vicinity are being prepared. We call upon all people of good will to contact us and support the following aid deliveries to monasteries in the form of basic groceries.




COW AND CALF FOR MILOSAVLJEVIC FAMILY

Momir, Danka i Milan with cow and calf

On Saturday, February 14, members of the Charity organization Serbs for Serbs once again visited and helped the five-member Milosavljevic family from the village of Lukovo near Boljevac. The family consists of the parents, Momir and Danka and their three children: daughters Milica (16) and Verica (10) and son Milan, the youngest (8). This time, as part of the big Christmas Bells Call for Help action, we bought the Milosavljevic family a cow and calf in the value of 172,000 RSD. The action had been supported by the French Kronenbourg Foundation from Strasbourg, primarily thanks to the engagement of Valerie Marquette, through a specific purpose donation of 800 Euros.

Members of the Milosavljevic family give thanks to

donors worldwide

The calf must be most delighted Milan

We would like bring to mind that last September we finished the construction and furnishing of the bathroom for the Milosavljevic family as part of the sports-charity project Trojka iz bloka. We had great cooperation with our friends from the Sports Association of Boljevac municipality, who gave us full logistical support for this action, for which we are very grateful.

We are continuing our activities in the municipality of Boljevac at the beginning of August, when we are planning to hold another Trojka iz bloka charity tournament.

Once again, the Charity organization SERBS FOR SERBS, on behalf of the Milosavljevic family, wishes to express deep gratitude to all donors of the organization, especially the French Kronenbourg Foundation and Ms Valerie Marquette for selfless engagement in helping this family.




SUCCESSFUL CHRISTMAS ACTION IN KRAJINA

In order to make Christmas joyful for everyone, we modestly made the effort this time as well to deliver aid to 18 Serbian multiple children families from the area of Dalmatia, Lika, Banovina, Kordun and Eastern Slavonia, who count 56 children altogether. The total value of the aid delivered by the Charity organization SERBS FOR SERBS in this CHRISTMAS ACTION was 8,120 €.

For Vuletic family from Kula Atlagica we delivered a

gas electric combination stove

In Kula Atlagica, in the area of Dalmatia, the aid was delivered to the Vuletic family consisting of the parents, Milan and Slavica, and the children, Milos (18), Mladen (12), Nikolina (4) and Vlado (3). This time, we helped the Vuletic family by delivering them a gas electric combination stove.

Zmiric family from Miranje near Benkovac

After that, we deliver aid to our old acquaintances, the Zmiric family from Miranje near Benkovac. The family consists of the father, Dusko and the children, Kasandra (11), Kristina (10), Dijana (8), Dusko (7), Aleksandar (5) and Maja (4). This large family was provided with an Alfa wood-burning stove and basic groceries.

Radmilovic family from Zegar village

In the village of Zegar, we reach the Radmilovic family, consisting of the parents, Vladimir and Suzana and the children, Ognjen (9) and Andjela (3). The Radmilovic family was also provided with an Alfa wood-burning stove.




Baljak family from Obrovac

In neighboring Obrovac, once again we help a family whom we have met before. It is the Baljak family, consisting of the parents, Trivun and Radmila and the children, Petar (19), Branko (17), Milana (15), Bozidar (13), Biljana (12) and Zeljko (10). We made the Baljaks happy for Christmas by delivering them a couch and used sewing machine, which will help the mother, Radmila in her everyday work of patching up clothes, and it will also create the opportunity of earning some extra money for her family.

Buljevic family in their home

By the river Zrmanja, we visit the Buljevic family, consisting of the parents Ljubo and Slobodanka and the children, Dragana (7) and Marija (3). The Buljevic family was provided with the material for central heating installation and sweets for the youngest.

Zelic family in their home with donated gas electric

combination stove

The last family from Dalmatia that we helped was the Zelic family, who had recently suffered a family tragedy when the father of the family had passed away after a serious illness. The family consists of Gordana, who is now a single mother, and the children, Milan (12), Aleksandar (10), and Nikola (8). This time, we provided the Zelic family with a gas electric combination stove.

Youngest of Jazic family from Donji Lapac on their new

bed

The next area where we managed to help several of our families is Lika, more specifically the parish of Donji Lapac. The Jazic family, consisting of the parents, Dragan and Angelina and the children, Dusko (14), Milka (12) and Goran (11), was helped through purchasing a bed, table and sweets for the youngest.




Ovuka family with their new freestanding stove for

heating children’s room

After the Jazic family, the aid reaches the Ovuka family consisting of the parents, Jandrija and Senada and their children, the twins Marija and Milan (10) and Mira (7). We helped them by purchasing a small wood stove (freestanding stove) so that they could heat the children’s room.

Kovacevic family with donations from our organization

The last family who received aid was the Kovacevic family, consisting of the parents, Milorad and Vera and the children, Dusan (12), and Natasa (18). They were provided with a washing machine, washing detergent and sweets for the children.

Panic family in their home

Significant aid was also delivered to the Panic family from the area of Korenica. This six-member family was helped through purchasing a pregnant cow in the value of 950 Euros.

Dukic family from Gracac got new couches

Our next stop in Lika was the area of Gracac, where aid for two families was delivered. The first family in this area was the Dukic family, consisting of the parents Milenko and Nikolina, and the children, Sandra (23), Gordana (22), Sava (16), Danijel (10) and David (2). We delivered three couches to this large family.

The Gajic family, in which the grandparents raise their grandson Nemanja (13), was helped through purchasing kitchen cabinets, and a desk and chair for the primary school student, Nemanja.




Part of the money was also intended for other children in this parish, so, in agreement with the local priest, we made several children happy on St Sava’s Day in Gracac and Srb by giving them sacks filled with sweets.

Gajic family with donations from our organization

Christmas sacks for children in Srb and Gracac

Mutic family from Kordun received considerable aid

from the organization

The aid also reached three families in the parish of Topusko in Kordun. First, we went to a place called Blatusa and helped the Mutic family, consisting of the parents, Matija and Milka and the children, Dejan (10), Stefan (9), Natasa (5) and the baby Daliborka (5 months old). We delivered them a freestanding stove, floor tiles and chest freezer.

Sokolovic family got the material for family house fix-up

The Sokolovic family from a place called Perna, consisting of the parents Nikola and Mirjana, and the children Nikolina (3) and Miroslav (1), was helped through purchasing the construction material for the family house repairs (plasterboard, paneling and softwood flooring).

Bed delivered to Dajana Cvjeticanin

The last family we help in this area is the Cvjeticanin family, consisting of the grandparents, Rade and Nada and their granddaughter, Dajana (12). This modest family was helped through purchasing a bed for Dajana.




Fridge and jackets for Slavnic family from Banovina

From the time we started helping families in the area of Krajina, this was the first time we delivered aid to families from the area of Petrinja in Banovina. The first family we helped was the Slavnic family, consisting of the parents, Milorad and Nevenka, and the children Jovo (20), Dragan (19), Milan (11), Jovana (9), and Dragana (4).We helped the Slavnic family through purchasing a fridge freezer and three jackets for the youngest members of this family.

Dragic family with aid provided by our organization

The second family we helped in the area of Petrinja was the Dragic family, consisting of the grandparents Radojka and Milos, parents, Zoran and Danijela, and the four-month-old baby Vasilije.

We helped the Dragic family through purchasing two mattresses, water heater, multipractic for baby food preparation, diapers, baby creams and other basic necessities.

Alfa wood-burning stove delivered to Mrksic family

The last family on the aid list was the Mrksic family from Bijelo Brdo near Osijek in Eastern Slavonija. The family consists of the parents, Rajko and Ruzica, and the children, Dragan (16), and Sladjana (11). The family was helped through the delivery of an Alfa wood-burning stove.

By doing this extensive action of aid delivery to numerous Serbian families from the area of Krajina, we wanted to make the holiday of Nativity in some way happier for a small number of children living far away from the world, in the remote places where the Serbian people still lives. With wholehearted logistical support of the friends of the organization and the priesthood of the Dioceses of Dalmatia and Upper Karlovac, another Christmas action was carried out successfully. We are preparing another, very extensive Easter action aimed at helping even larger number of families from the area of Krajina, so we wish to appeal to kind-hearted and patriotic people to get involved.




HOUSES BUILT FOR FAMILIES IN LOPARE

As part of their big FIGHT AGAINST FLOODS project, the Charity organization Serbs for Serbs helped families with children affected by the May floods and landslides which occurred in the municipality of Lopare in the Republic of Srpska. Three houses were built in this aid action for three families: Gasic, Mitrovic and Jokic. The total value of the aid was 52,365 BAM.

Youngest members of Gasic family

The Gasic family from the village of Pirkovci, Lopare municipality, lived in the basement when the landslides occurred and covered their unfinished house, built on the sloping ground. In their case, it was possible to continue the construction over the basement, in order for the floor to be above the ground. Members of the family are the parents, Cvijetan and Marina and their six children, two of the daughters being married.

Gasic family in front of their old single-story house

The children still living with the parents are: Dijana (23), Risto (18), Vinka (14), and Ivana (9). There are other family members living in the same household: Cvijetan’s parents, Diko and Pelka and his brother, Risto, whose wife had passed away. Risto and Snezana have two children, Danijela (11) and Blazenko (10).

Cvijetan suffers from spine problems and he moves with difficulty. Before the May floods and landslides they had built a house without finishing the roof construction; they had furnished the interior and moved into an inadequate living space. Terrain in the whole hamlet is sloped. In the May landslides, the earth covered their living space. They managed to remove the earth manually. In June, there was another round of heavy rainfall causing the water running downhill to bring dirt, which they needed to clean up again.

Works on adding a story onto a basement




Cvjetan’s brother, Risto lost his young wife who left behind two small children. Marina takes care of the two little ones. The new upgraded house will solve their problem of living space, which will no longer be covered in debris when there is bad weather.

Members of Gasic family in front of their upgraded

house

Single-mother, Milosava with her children in their old

house

The second family that we helped is the Mitrovic family from the village of Koraj. The single mother, Milosava Mitrovic is on her own, raising four children: Perica (18), Stojanka (16), Dragana (9) and Drazen (7). With the support and engagement of their neighbors, they built a house, but they didn’t finish it. She lost her husband, Miodrag when he went hunting and stepped on a land mine and died. Milosava did not give up. Her unfinished house was completely damaged by the landslide during the adverse weather conditions in May. It was not leveled, but it is unsuitable for living. She also lost terrain where she could build another house.

Landslide made living in the house impossible for

Mitrovic family

At the moment, they are housed at the village veterinary clinic in Mackovac. Milosava’s income is 130 BAM a month, which is insufficient for the needs of the family. She worked for a wage in the village when there was work to do, and they praised her to be hard-working and honest.




The municipality of Lopare provided the family with a building lot in the same village where they are currently living and the house was built there. 6,500 BAM was paid to construction workers for building a new home for the Mitrovic family.

Laying foundations for constructing a new house for

Mitrovic family

Newly built house for Mitrovic family

Cracked walls on Jokic family house

The third family that we helped was the Jokic family from the village of Piperi, consisting of the parents Sreten and Ljuba, their three children, Danijela (19), Nedjo (17), and Marko (12) and the grandmother, Cvijeta. Sreten suffers from trichinosis. Beside his family, he also supports his mother, who went blind in her old age, and his wife’s mother, who suffers from Parkinson’s disease.

Foundations built for new Jokic family house




In May, the hill above his house started sliding, which also caused the house to move. The house was not leveled, but the Geological Committee estimated that the Jokic family could no longer live in the house. The Jokic family lives in poor conditions with no income whatsoever.

New Jokic family house is due to be finished soon

The big FIGHT AGAINST FLOODS action continues. The Charity organization Serbs for Serbs calls upon all fraternal organizations, donors and people of good will in Serbia and worldwide to get involved in the action by donating money into one of the accounts of the organization - www.srbizasrbe.org/donacije. Also, you can look at the reports on the aid delivered to PARACIN, TRSTENIK, VALJEVO, KRALJEVO, OBRENOVAC, SVILAJNAC, VELIKI CRLJENI, KRUPANJ, VELIKI CRLJENI PART 2, OBRENOVAC PART 2, OBRENOVAC PART 3, BIJELJINA, BIJELJINA PART 2, OBRENOVAC PART 4, OBRENOVAC PART 5, OBRENOVAC PART 6, DOBOJ, OBRENOVAC PART 7, OBRENOVAC PART 8, PRIJEDOR, SEKOVICI, BANJALUKA, SMEDEREVSKA PALANKA and KRUPANJ PART 2.

CHILDREN ARE OUR FUTURE! SERBS FOR SERBS




VISITING SRETENOVIC FAMILY FROM MILANOVAC

In February, we visited the nine-member Sretenovic family from Ugrinovci, Gornji Milanovac municipality. The parents, Dobrivoje and Dusanka have seven children: Nada (17), Aleksandar (15), Andrija (14), Nemanja (12), Ana (10), Mila (9) and Jasmina (8). They live in a very old house with no bathroom, or a space to make one. The plan is to provide the family with a cow, and to construct and furnish the bathroom using the money raised in the sports-charity “Trojka iz bloka” project, which will be held on May 10, 2015 in Gornji Milanovac.

House where the Sretenovic family lives

Ugrinovci is a village at the foot of the Rudnik Mountain, about 15 kilometers from Gornji Milanovac. The only monthly income of the Sretenovic family is child benefit in the amount of 10,000 RSD. The only livestock they have are two goats and several hens.

Mila, Nemanja, Jasmina, Andrija and Ana Sretenovic

They do not even have a wardrobe for their things, and only two rooms on the first floor are fit to be used, and this is where this nine-member family sleeps. During our visit, the oldest children, Nada and Aleksandar were at school, so they are not in the photos.

One of the rooms where members of the Sretenovic

family sleep




The other room in the small Sretenovic house

Talking to Dobrivoje and Dusanka, we have come to a conclusion that what they need the most is a bathroom, and also a cow. Over 300,000 RSD is needed to provide the family with both of these. Our aim is to join forces and help the Sretenovic family and enable them to improve their basic living conditions.

Jasmina and Andrija Sretenovic

The oldest, Nada goes to High School of Economics, and Aleksandar goes to Technical High School in Gornji Milanovac. The younger children, Andrija, Nemanja, Ana, Mila and Jasmina go to primary school in their village. It needs mentioning that the oldest son, Aleksandar uses Orthodox books to look at the images of saints and then he paints them on wood.

Mila, showing us artistic works of her older brother

Aleksandar

Cheerful Nemanja Sretenovic

We call upon all people of good will to continue supporting the work of the Charity organization SERBS FOR SERBS and thus help and give joy to numerous children in need.




FIRST „TROJKA IZ BLOKA“ HELD IN 2015.

On Monday, February 23, 2015 the first charity Three-Point Shootout Contest under the name of “Trojka iz bloka” was held at the Faculty of Philosophy in Belgrade. The contest was organized by the Sports Association of the Faculty of Philosophy “Mladost” and the Charity organization Serbs for Serbs and featured 67 participants. Before the contest, spectators were addressed by Andreja Marusic, president of the Sports Association of the Faculty of Philosophy “Mladost” and Darko Lojancic, member of the Charity organization Serbs for Serbs. After that, the national anthem of the Republic of Serbia was performed by Andjela Tasic.

Andjela Tasic, at the opening of the contest, singing

national anthem of the Republic of Serbia

“Boze pravde”

The contest was opened by Mihajlo Pantic, a professor at the Faculty of Philosophy and member of the committee for the NIN Award presentation, after which the contestants started competing in three-point shootout. Ten contestants got to the finals: Nikola Pejovic, Vladimir Zunjic, Bojan Todorovic, Mladen Beclija, Nikola Baljak, Mario Buculjevic, Strahinja Klupac, Nemanja Savic, Viktor Carusev, and Andrija Dragicevac. Just before the finals, rap artists Ankl Dzo and Igor Sreckovic (Sick Prime Beatbox) performed for the spectators.

Andreja Marusic, president of the Sports Association of

the Faculty of Philosophy “Mladost”




Professor Mihajlo Pantic opening the contest

In the finals, both Nikola Pejovic and Vladimir Zunjic scored 12 points, so an extra round was played to determine the winner, while the third place winner was Bojan Todorovic. In the new round of the contest, Vladimir Zunjic scored two points, while Nikola Pejovic scored 12 points again, which made him the first-place winner. Beside the contestants, there were about 150 people at the contest, and we hope there will be more next year. About 25,450 RSD was raised in this charity event.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank television stations RTS, Studio B, Pink, B92 as well as Blic newspaper, for covering and supporting the organization of the contest.

Bojan Todorovic, the third place winner in the “Trojka

iz bloka” contest

Vladimir Zunjic, the second-place finisher in the

“Trojka iz bloka” contest

Nikola Pejovic, the winner of the “Trojka iz bloka”

contest




CHARITY EVENT IN GERMANY

On Saturday, February 21, 2015 there was a charity event, organized at Kafe Panorama (Fürth, Germany) by Charity organization Serbs for Serbs for helping the seven-member Kostadinovic family from Banja Luka. The event featured a show for the people attending, hosted by the Charity organization SERBS FOR SERBS, and a fun time with live music. 1,656.60 Euros was raised through tickets, donations and selling T-shirts from the clothes shop. The action finished a few days later, with the total amount of €2,001.70 raised.

Aleksandar Mrsic, president of SFS Germany, opening

the charity event

We would like to take this opportunity to thank Dragan Knezevic for the musical support, the Kojadinovic family who enabled us to hold the charity event at their facilities, and also the Serbian Orthodox parish of Nuremberg, who showed us their support and trust by giving us their blessing.

Jovan Kojadinovic in a national costume, singing the

song “Crven cvete”




The following is a list of charity event donors for the Kostadinovic family:

1. Lazic Radojka €20 2. Zivkovic family €110 3. Trifunovic Milan €50 4. Sladojevic Jovanka €10 5. Trifunovic Sar €12 6. Todorovic Slavojka €22 7. Kristic Koviljka €20 8. Vuckovic Goran €24 9. Association of footballers from Nuremberg €50 10. Mrsic family €70 11. Srbis football €100 12. Kafe Panorama €190 13. Babic Zeljko €35 14. Despotovic Branislav €35 15. Obradovic Zeljko €20 16. Milenkovic Aleksandar €5 17. Milinkovic Zdravko €50 18. Radic Miso €50 19. Novakovic Aleksander €10 20. Obradovic Dandza €10 21. Ostojic Nikola €25 22. Anonymous donations €119.70

T-shirt selling: €195 Tickets: €712 Cakes: €57

In a pleasant atmosphere with good music and danced

the famous Serbian kolo

Young people were extremely good mood

President of SFS Germany with guests

A big thanks to all the donors who supported our fund-raising. Charity organization Serbs for Serbs - Germany




SFS ON STUDIO B – MORNING SHOW

On February 17, 2015 representatives of the Charity organization SERBS FOR SERBS and Sports Association of the Faculty of Philosophy Mladost were guests on the Morning Show of TV Studio B, where they presented the first in line charity-sports project TROJKA IZ BLOKA (www.trojkaizbloka.org) which will be held in Belgrade on Monday, February 23, 2015 at the Faculty of Philosophy, starting at 12 o’clock in the Faculty’s hall. ……………………………………………………….......

SERBS FOR SERBS ON TV PRVA – 9AM TACNO

At the beginning of February, president of the Charity organization SERBS FOR SERBS Mr Igor Rasula was a guest on the Morning Show of TV Prva called 9AM Tacno. During the interview, he talked of the way the organization has worked so far, as well as the form of aid delivered to the most disadvantaged multiple children families in Serbia, Republic of Srpska, Krajina, Montenegro, FYR Macedonia and Herzegovina.

SFS GUESTS ON BN TELEVISION

On February 28, 2015, representative of the Charity organization SERBS FOR SERBS, Milos Simovic was a guest on the “Sve u 3” show on BN Television in Bijeljina. In a friendly talk, the work of the organization was presented, especially regarding the sports-charity “Trojka iz bloka” project, and the form of the aid delivered in the FIGHT AGAINST FLOODS project, which aims at helping families with underage children whose homes were damaged during the disastrous May floods in Serbia and the Republic of Srpska.

…………………………………………………………

UPGRADE THE HOUS FOR FAMILY VRANIC

Humanitarian organizations Serbs for Serbs launched a major project of upgrading the house for the family Vranic with eleven children from Mali Mokri Lug in Belgrade. As part of the Christmas campaign was prepared and attached video. This is the first (of four) project supported by the donor organization Serbs for Serbs from Canada (In Time for Christmas Campaign). We invite everyone to join in this action to cash donations, and donations in the form of building materials. Let's all together their modest contributions help this beautiful and valuable family!

www.srbizasrbe.net/donacije




SERBS FOR SERBS CHARITY SHOP




Donors in February : 1. Compass Fuel donation box (IL) - $ 42 2. Balkan Bakery donation box (IL) - $ 10 3. Beograd Café donation box (IL) - $ 50 4. Nada's Deli & Bakery d. box (IL) - $ 40 5. St. Nikola, Brookfield d.box (IL) - $ 10 6. Bubamara cafe d. box (IL) - $ 10 7. www.usaserbs.net (IL) - $ 25 8. Srdjan Gavrilovic (GA) - $ 15 9. Radomans Framing (CA) - $ 15 10. Zeljka Bucalo (NV) - $ 25 11. Tihomir Bajic (CA) - $ 100 12. Мilan Dobras (MD) - $ 15 13. Slavisa Karach (GA) - $ 25 14. Sasa Savic (TX) - $ 30 15. Milica Kostic (CAN) - $ 100 16. Ivan Aksentijevic (MD) - $ 25 17. Dragana Beara (CAN) - $ 50 18. Dragana Mirkovic - $ 50 19. Studio Artist X (Nederlande) - $ 20 20. Ivan Radulovic (NY) - $ 25 21. Milan Dukic - $ 50 22. Olja Meyer (NY) - $ 15 23. Milen Tesic (IL) - $ 20 24. Aleksandar Micic (MO) - $ 15 25. Irena Gumbert (CA) - $ 25 26. Milan Zdrnja - $ 25 27. Vesna Kozomora (IL) - $ 25 28. Helena Urakalo (CAN) - $ 15 29. Делије Њујорк - $ 25 30. Nikola Mrdakovic (IL) - $ 40 31. Predrag Kisa - $ 50 32. B. Bojanic (CA) - $ 15 33. Zoran Starcevic - $ 20 34. Nenad Milasinovic (Australien) - $ 25 35. Daniel Plavsic (WA) - $ 25 36. Igor & Lana Glisic - $ 50 37. Zivko Tatalovic - $ 50 38. Protecta electronic services (Australia) - $ 15 39. Ivan Aksentijevic (MD) - $ 25 40. Tanja Josipovic - $ 25 41. Milos Hrkic (TX) - $ 100 42. Dragisa Djordjevic (MD) - $ 15 49. Neven Cvetkovic (Sweden) - $ 50 50. Skirt Collective - $ 500 51. Susi Schuchard (SD) - $ 25 52. Dragisa Zivkovic - $ 15 53. Ankica D. (NJ) - $ 25 54. Nina & Maksim Krsmanovic (VA)- $ 50

55. Anonymous AT&T - $ 2.12 56. Milan Dakic AT&T - $ 4.2 57. Marko Popovic AT&T - $ 12.72 58. Zoran Golubovich AT&T - $ 27.64 59. Anonumous AT&T - $ 60 60. Aleksandar Tanasic (CAN) - $ 25 61. Sinisa Peric (MD) - $ 50 62. Andreja Simovic (CA) - $ 100 63. Zoran Mladenovic (MD) - $ 100 64. Anonymous PNC Bank - $ 200 _________________________

TOTAL IN FEBRUARY: $ 2.758




DONATIONS IN 2015.

NUMBER OF DONORS IN 2015.




www.serbsforserbs.org [email protected]

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serbs for serbs report february 2015

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