Serbs for Serbs Report May 2012.

2012

CHARITY ORGANIZATION SERBS FOR SERBS

Monthly Report for May www.serbsforserbs.org

Monthly Report No. 5 May, 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 for May Dear friends and donors, Charity organization Serbs for Serb 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) notfor-profit charitable organization. Donation is tax-deductible 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 too 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 be because of starvation and malnutrition. ion. 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

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 for May

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: szsamerika@gmail.com 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 for May EASTER SFS ACTION IN KRAJINA

www.serbsforserbs.org 2012 • • •

3 double closets 14 chairs 16 mattresses

We commenced a three-day action by visiting a threemember returnee family of Rade Bogunović in Donja Suvaja (Lika). Half a year ago, the family decided to come back to their village, and try to grow cattle, in order to make better living conditions for the survival under the difficult circumstances. Our organization decided to help them by bringing 6 sheep for them.

Within the new Easter action in Serbian Krajina, under the name „For the Resurrection of Krajina“, the representatives of the Charity organization Serbs for Serbs, together with their friends, visited 13 endangered families in Dalmacija and Lika. Our friends from the Citizen’s initiative from Vukovar joined the action, and provided more than 50 packages of toys, sweets and school equipment for the children from Krajina. We owe great thank for help in the preparation and realization of the action to the brotherhood of the monastery Krk, and the clergy of eparchies from Dalmacija and Upper-Karlovci.

We should emphasize that we were the guests of the episcope of Dalmacija, Fotije, who gave his support to the activities of the organization. We planned to spent nearly 14,000 EUR for this action. Apart from the help we dedicated for each family, we also gave them the sanctified icon of Saint Sava, a gift from our friends of the International public fund of the unity of Orthodox nations, and several books of Orthodox literature.

The help, which will be delivered in the following days and weeks, consists of the following: • 6 sheep • a cow and a calf • construction material • 3 tillers • welding aparat • minor tools • wood-burning stove • freezer • fertilizer • 3 double decker beds • 10 beds

The main part of the action was conducted in Kistanje, that is, in the surrounding villages, where the Serbian families try to survive as the citizens of the second order.

Apart from the existential problems, they suffer the tension caused by a group of so called Janjevci (Croats from Kosovo and Metohija), which was settled there after the expel of the Serbs in 1995.

The social and spiritual center of the Serbs in this area is the monastery of Saint Archangel Mihailo near Krka, built in the 14th century, and the center of one of the seminaries. The brotherhood of the monastery is doing its best to help the people. The monastery employes 1520 people, and thus enables them their only income. It looks like the political parties of the Serbs have the same disease in the Balkans, including Croatia. They seek power, and cooperate with those who have expelled them over a decade ago, while the returnees are on the edge of their existence. Fortunately for the Serbian people, the monastery Krka is helping them.

The first family we visited in the area is a family of Nebojša and Suzana Štrbac, and their four children (Jelena 14, Milica 13, Lazar 11 and Marija 11). The family currently lives in the house of their relatives, and

Charity organization Serbs for Serbs www.serbsforserbs.org PO Box 34206, Chicago, IL 60634 Phone: +1-312-85-SERBS

Monthly Report for May

www.serbsforserbs.org 2012

the new house is being built for them by the state.

Considering that fact, we decided to get them 2 beds and 6 chairs, and a welding aparat.

After family Štrbac, we visited family Šorgić, which we met three years ago. Little has changed since our last visit. They still live in a dilapidated house without bathroom. The house is not in their ownership. They have four daughters (Andreja 16, Aleksandra 12, Mirjana 10 and Ivana 9), so we decided to get them four chairs, a double-decker bed and a closet.

The next family we visited was the family of Neña and Milena Bjelanović and their three children (Aleksandar 6, Sara 4, and Jovana 2). This pious family, which we met on a Sunday liturgy in the monastery Krka is trying to adapt a larger object next to the small room in which they all live. If they could adapt the object, the family would have adequate living conditions. In the next period we will deliver them the construction material in the value of about 2,200 EUR, which will help in providing decent conditions for the children.

After that we went to the family of Željko and Radmila Radić and their four children (Stefan 12, Ivana 10, Sandra 4 and Ivona 1). Like other families, the Radić family is living on the social benefit. They asked for a tiller, so that they could work on their estate. We decided to get them one, and also to get them a doubledecker bed and a closet.

We continued to the family Tišma, consisting of the parents Zdravko and Mirjana, and their four children (Milan 24, Aleksandra 21, Stevan 14 and Ljubomir 17).

Like the family Bjelanović, this family also has problems with the accomodation. Although the children are grown up, this six-year family lives in two rooms.

Father Zdravko is a disabled person (he doesn't have a leg), which makes their situation even more difficult. In spite of his condition, Zdravko isn't mourning because of his destiny, but he makes wooden objects, which he sometimes manages to sell. We decided to provide them the construction material in the amount of about

Charity organization Serbs for Serbs www.serbsforserbs.org PO Box 34206, Chicago, IL 60634 Phone: +1-312-85-SERBS

Monthly Report for May 1,500 EUR, for the construction of the plate above the three unfinished rooms, which should significantly improve their living conditions. Apart from that, father Zdravko asked us to bring him the cutting tool, in order to make new wooden pieces and bring additional income to his family.

We finished the action in Kistanje by visiting the family of Veljko and Sretana Vujasinović. The family has three sons (Stefan 20, Branislav 14 and Čedomir 11).

They asked us to get them a tiller, which they need in the vineyards. We will also provide three beds for family Vujasinović.

www.serbsforserbs.org 2012 8), which is truly rare in the difuse Serbian population in Krajina. The family lives in difficult conditions. A delegation of children welcomed us in front of the house, and they were thrilled to get a cow (1,000 EUR), which we provided for them. We were all happy to hear that the cow calved a few days upon the arrival, so the humble cattle fund of the family became bigger. This family has great hopes in the cow, which should give milk for the children. We also planed to get them a freezer.

After that we went to Donji Karin, to visit the family of ðuro Bogunović. He is a single father, and lives with four children (Igor 9, Nikola 8, Lidija 6, Matej 5), which reminded us of the life of many families in Kosovo and Metohija. Their stone house is decrepit, and it has no bathroom. A while ago the wife and the mother left the family, and left ðuro with no income, to take care of four children. ðuro asked us to get him a tiller, to cultivate his and neighbor land, and thus provide the income for the family.

The following day we continued the action in Obrovac, by visiting the eight-member family of Trivun and Radmila Baljak, who have six minor children (Petar 17, Branko 15, Milana 13, Božidar 11, Biljana 10 and Željko Charity organization Serbs for Serbs www.serbsforserbs.org PO Box 34206, Chicago, IL 60634 Phone: +1-312-85-SERBS

Monthly Report for May The next family we visited was the family of Milan and Slavica Vuletić from Kula Atlagića, and their four children (Miloš 15, Mladen 9, Nikolina 1 and Vlada 3 months old). They live in the similar conditions like the family Bogunović. Milan is a war-disabled person. We will provide a wood-burning stove, and 4 chairs for this family.

The last place in Dalmacija we visited during the action, is a small village Smilčić, in which we visited two families. The first one is a family of a single mother Vesna Olujić, who lives with two children (Vasilije 12 and Marinko 10) in the new apartment, which they got as a replacement for the burned house in which they lived before the war. The apartment is partly equiped, so we provided a combined refrigerator for them.

www.serbsforserbs.org 2012 because they have recently returned to their home after nine years in USA. They returned from the illusory social and economic security in USA to their home into the uncertain future. Todor started to grow fruit, which should give the results soon. We all saw the knowledge and great courage in Todor. He promised he would employ people from the surrounding villages on the plantages. We decided to get him a fertilizer for the plantages.

Upon the return, we stopped by at our old friends in Korenica (Lika), where we agreed the delivery of the furniture for the families in Dalmacija. We also heard of the death of the father Sava Marinković, whose family we helped two years ago. Sava has two minor children, who lived with him until his death. The social service threatened to take away the children and send them to the Croatian family. The first neighbor decided to adopt the children and take care of them, which proves the nobleness of the Serbian people. It is more than humane, and we were all touched. That neighbor doesn't have good conditions for those two children, so we decided to get him two beds and a closet.

After months of planning, Easter action in Krajina was carried out up to half, and we expect to finish the action during the following month, as planned. We hope that the help we provided would be sufficient to the families, and to the benefit of the local Serbian community, where possible. Above all, we expect that the visit and the help we delivered preserve the families in the old Serbian land, and that Serbian Krajina regain its glory with the help of the Eparchies of the Serbian Orthodox Church, many organizations like ours, and the individuals. With faith and hope that our action will be a bright example to all who carry Serbdom and Krajina in their hearts, we must again emphasize the problems of the returnee families, and to state that the Serbian people still exists.

We must not only remember it, but also help it with all our hearts.

Upon the recomendation of a local priest, who helped us in finding the families from this area, we also visited another family, whom we didn't plan to help. It was the family of Todor and Anita Šušak, who have two children (Stefani 7 and Aleksa 4). This family is special,

KRAJINA WILL LIVE!

Charity organization Serbs for Serbs www.serbsforserbs.org PO Box 34206, Chicago, IL 60634 Phone: +1-312-85-SERBS

Monthly Report for May SFS VISITING THE RAŠKA AREA

On the last weekend of April, the activists of the Charity organization Serbs for Serbs conducted a charityinformative action in Raška area, with two goals: to get to know the endangered Serbian families, who haven't received our help so far; to begin the project of building the house for the Balović family from Rogozna.

We were able to fulfill both our goals, and we also made a concrete plan of helping the endangered Serbian families in Raška area for the next year.

www.serbsforserbs.org 2012 The head of the family is Mrs. Ankica Slavković, who lives with her three children: Sara (3), Ivana (15), Ivan (20) and her brother in law Dragoš. Family Slavković wasn't an endangered one until a few months ago, but several members of the family died since December: Ankica's mother in law, Ankica's husband and a brother in law. Dragoš is a disabled person (he lost both hands due to the frostbite), and he has a minimal retirement, and Sara receives a humble child benefit of 5,000 dinars per month. The family has a piece of land. Their greenhouse was entirely ruined during the harsh winter, so they might not have vegetables, which was most of their menu. We decided to get them a new greenhouse and several hens, and then consider the potential further help.

We visited a seven-member family Sendrić in the same village. Milivoje and Anita have five children: Svetlana (24), Mirjana (23), Milena (18), Nemanja (8) and Isidora (5). The family lives from a child benefit (4.800 dinars for two children), plants wheat and owns a cow and 10 hens. The family told us they could use household appliances (a refrigerator and an electric stove), and the animals would be welcome (a pig and especially a cow).

On Friday, April 27, with the help of our branch from Novi Pazar, we visited two families. The first one was a five-member family Slavković from the village Pljevljani near Novi Pazar.

After the liturgy in the Monastery Sopoćani, we visited the rest of the families on Saturday. Two of the families live near the monastery, and the brotherhood and iguman Teoktist help them whenever they can.

A four-member family Milošević lives in the village Doljani. The father and the son are working in Belgrade for a wage, while the mother Gordana and daughter Jelka (23) are on the estate. Jelka has a brain tumor, which was operated, but her mother needs to take care of her. They have 9,000 dinars of social benefit, and occasional income from the father. They have a piece of

Charity organization Serbs for Serbs www.serbsforserbs.org PO Box 34206, Chicago, IL 60634 Phone: +1-312-85-SERBS

Monthly Report for May land, but they could use about 30 hens and appliances (a refrigerator is broken, and their beds are very bad).

About 10km from the monastery, in Sebečevo, we visited the poor family Ilić. They live in a „house“ made of wattle and mud. The family consists of two students, a high school pupil, father, mother and a grandmother.

Stojana, Vita and Slavo live together with the children Mladen (24), Slañan (22) and Dragan (17). The parents are working for a wage, but their income is insufficient, so they seek help from the monastery. The house is in a bad condition, without the bathroom, the beds are very bad, and there is almost no household appliances. The family owns several goats and a cow. It is the only Serbian family in the surrounding.

The children used to be good students while they were able to go to school, and now they are left to the poverty, and their future is uncertain. The oldest Mladen is suffering from mental disease. He is being treated in Kraljevo, and he has been there for three times so far.

Slañan is a student of the fourth year of the Faculty of economics in Novi Pazar. He needs to walk from home,

www.serbsforserbs.org 2012 since he doesn't have the money for the trip. The mother used to work in a footwear factory, but it was ruined a long time ago. The father is obviously mentally unstable.

The grandmother is mentally stable, and she is a pillar of the family. The solution to their situation is an urgent project, and requires a lot of planing. It would take a lot of effort in order to help this family.

After two hours of drive we went to the six-member family Balović from the village Rajetiće.

We started making an arrangement for building a house.

Tihomir Balović, the head of the family, brought an artisan and an assistant, and a person who should bring the water into the house. Mr. Radoš Sendrić from Novi Pazar, a friend of the organization, took the responsibility to conduct the project, and we would like to thank him.

We made the list of the necessary material, concluded the agreement for the working labor, and the digging of the foundation could begin. Within the next few weeks, the material should arrive, so that the slab could be set, and the walls could rise.

Charity organization Serbs for Serbs www.serbsforserbs.org PO Box 34206, Chicago, IL 60634 Phone: +1-312-85-SERBS

Monthly Report for May

www.serbsforserbs.org 2012 and Milka (17). All the children are healthy except Milanka, who has problems with sight, and who is an epileptic. The family has an income of 7,000 dinars per month, has about 50 sheep and 2 cows, but their life is difficult. They need household appliances, above all beds and an electric stove. The house consists of the old and a new part. The ceiling in the old part of the house (where they sleep) is made of mud and wattle, and it could fall. The house doesn't have the water nor the bathroom. The priority is the reconstruction of the old part of the house, bring the water into the house, and buy several animals more, so that the family gets better living conditions.

Mr. Radoš should be intermediary between the organization, which is financing the fees, and the artisans. We should also thank Mr. Sulejman, who brought excavator on his expense, flatten the terrain, set the ground, and left strong and postitive impression on all of us. We used the opportunity to spend some time with the family, and then we left on Golija.

Our first stop is a seven-member family Komatina from the village Radaljica. We have helped the family several times before, and now we talked about their stable. The harsh winter turned down the roof on the stable, so they should fix it before autmn. We agreed to get them the material for the repair, and possibly some animals, and the family could become financialy independent.

The last family we were able to visit, was the family of Milojica Šarac in the village Dojinoviće, on the opposite side of the mountain Golija. We helped this family several years ago. They now need serious help.

Father Milojica is a widow, and he has five children: Rodoljub (31), Miroljub (28), Milica (22), Milanka (17)

We should mention other activities of the organization: strenghtening the cooperation with the brotherhoods of the monasteries ðurñevi Stupovi, Sopoćani and Crna Reka, symbolic help in bulding the sport terrain in Deževa, and the support for the local football tournament.

With the faith in God and Holy Serbia, Bojan Ilić

Charity organization Serbs for Serbs www.serbsforserbs.org PO Box 34206, Chicago, IL 60634 Phone: +1-312-85-SERBS

Monthly Report for May FOR THE RESURRECTION ON KOSMET

www.serbsforserbs.org 2012 harvest, and a few months ago she also lost her husband, so now she has to take care of her three sons – Dragiša, Aleksandar and Nikola alone. We have also helped the family in the previous actions, and this time we were discussing the future help.

The Easter action on Kosovo and Metohija, conducted this year, had more spiritual than material character. In the scope of the action, we donated 15 icons, given to us by our friends of the organization International public fund of the unity of Orthodox nations. Besides that, we visited two families, and agreed to help them in the future.

We started the action in Gračanica, where we attended the morning liturgy, and then met our friend Mirel from Switzerland, who is using his photos to collect the money for the Serbs on Kosovo and Metohija.

Our first stop was Staro Gracko, the village which would probably be unknown, if it wasn't for the terrible event. On July 23 1999, near the village, 14 inhabitants were brutally murdered during the harvest. That left consequences on all segments of life of the inhabitants.

The first family we visited and gave the icon was the Živić family. Ljubica Živić lost two sons during the bloody harvest, and her third son died soon after that.

She now lives with two daughters in law, Sonja and Vesna, and seven grandchildren. In a short conversation with these women, whom we met in our previous actions, we found out that life in the village is difficult, and that the Albanians started buying the houses in a village that was once entirely Serbian.

The next family we visit and left the icon, was the family of Radojica Stojanović, whom we also helped in one of the previous actions. Radojica lost his father in the bloody harvest, but despite that, he didn't leave his village, and he now lives there with his wife and two sons.

The last family we visited was the family of Jelena Cvejić. Jelena lost her father Ljubiša in the bloody

Before we left the village, and continued towards Brezovica, we donated one of the icons to the teacher Zoran Ćirković Uča, as an expression of a gratitude for his help in the actions. On our way to Brezovica, we stoped by at Lipljane, where we visited the church of Presentation of the Virgin and the church of Flora and Damjan.

Charity organization Serbs for Serbs www.serbsforserbs.org PO Box 34206, Chicago, IL 60634 Phone: +1-312-85-SERBS

Monthly Report for May The family we visited on Brezovica was the family Tanasijević from the village Berevce in the Štrpce municipality. The family consists of father Slaviša, mother Jelena and four children – Jovana (13), Ivana (10), Tijana (8) and Jovan (5). During our previous action, in January, we agreed to commence the action of renovation and building of their house, since they only had walls. The first part of the renovation – sucessfully finished with the help of the Serbian club from New York – consisted of the building a bathroom. During this visit, we agreed to start building a roof, and then finish other necessary works on the house.

www.serbsforserbs.org 2012 After Brezovica we went to Prizren and visited little Milica, the only Serbian child in the town. We met Milica and her mother Evica in front of the church of Bogorodica Ljeviška, in order to give them the icon.

Our next destination was ðakovica, a “forbidden town” for the Serbs. The only Serbian oasis in an almost purely Albanian town is the monastery of the Dormition of the Theotokos, with four Serbian ladies living there. We couldn't stay long, so we used the oportunity to talk to these ladies, who always welcome us, and who are happy to receive a visit.

We continued our journey towards the monastery Visoki Dečani, where we met father Isaija, who is in charge of the charity work in the brotherhood of the monastery. We donated money for the help in buying the trailer for cultivator to family Stolić from Velika Hoča.

A few months ago, the Stolićs lost their horse in a fire, and they used him to work. Thanks to the monks from Dečani and the benefactors from the US, a cultivator and tiller was bought for the family, so that they could continue the work, and provide themselves.

Our next destination was the village Drenovac, half way between Peć and Klina. The first Serbian returnee family, which came back into the village that was totally Charity organization Serbs for Serbs www.serbsforserbs.org PO Box 34206, Chicago, IL 60634 Phone: +1-312-85-SERBS

Monthly Report for May destroyed, was the family of Ranko Bogićević. He used to be an official of the Klina municipality, and he returned to Drenovac with his wife. Another twelwe families returned after him. Ranko and his wife have four children – Vladimir (25), Aleksandra (21), Mirjana (19) and Slobodan (17). Three children are excellent students in central Serbia, and the youngest is in a high school. Ranko is currently unemployed, although he was assured that he would get a job in the Klina municipality. Therefor, he can't finance the schooling of his children, so we promised to help him pay the rate for schooling.

www.serbsforserbs.org 2012 daughters Ivona (4), Lana (1) and the youngest Tea, borne a month ago. We gave them the icon, and then visited the family of Zoran Repanović, who lives with his wife Jelena and three children, Petar (6), Nikolina (2) and Luka (1).

The last family on our way was the family of Zvonko Lazić, who lives with his wife and three children: Anastasija (8), Aleksandar (6) and Tomica (2).

After we said good bye to Gabrijel, we moved to Kosovska Mitrovica, through Drenica, once a second Sveta Gora, and recently the stronghold of the terrorists, almost “cleaned” from Serbs. We couldn't deliver three icons, so we left them to our friend Mirel, who will give them to the users of public kitchens in Kosovsko pomoravlje.

The last destination on our journey was the village Osojane near Istok. Gabrijel Tot, our friend, welcomed us in the village, and helped us to deliver the icons to the inhabitants. One of the icons was donated to Gabrijel and his family, wife Vanja, and children Anñela (13), Nevena (10) and Olivera (8).

The next family in Osojane we visited was the family Lacmanović, consisting of Cvetko, his wife and three sons. We delivered the icon to the youngest son Toplica (13) whom we found at home.

NO SURRENDER! Family of Raško ðurić is next on our list. This family gained another member since our last visit, so now there are five of them – Raško, his wife Ivana and three

Report: ðorñe Bojović, Serbia

Charity organization Serbs for Serbs www.serbsforserbs.org PO Box 34206, Chicago, IL 60634 Phone: +1-312-85-SERBS

Monthly Report for May

www.serbsforserbs.org 2012

HELP ARRIVED AT STARO NAGORIČANE

Within the great action in Old Serbia, which started by our visit in January, we completed the help for one of the families we visited, a six-member family Nikolić from Staro Nagoričane. We provided electric stove and elements for the bathroom. We consider that this help will be of significant use for the family with four minor children.

Charity organization Serbs for Serbs www.serbsforserbs.org PO Box 34206, Chicago, IL 60634 Phone: +1-312-85-SERBS

Monthly Report for May

www.serbsforserbs.org 2012

EASTER SFS ACTION IN BOJNIK

The representatives of the Charity organization Serbs for Serbs from Niš and Switzerland visited two families during the Easter holidays in Bojnik – families Nikolić and Stanković, whom we have been helping for a while.

Great project of finishing the house for the Nikolić family is continued, so that our organization provided the material to finish the house on the outside, in the amount of 211,000 dinars. We hope to finish this project within a month.

We took groceries, clothes and sweets to the family Stanković, donated by our friends from Switzerland.

We owe special thank to the family ðorñević and Mrs. Olivera and her friends who tried to bring joy in these families during the greatest christian holiday.

Charity organization Serbs for Serbs www.serbsforserbs.org PO Box 34206, Chicago, IL 60634 Phone: +1-312-85-SERBS

Monthly Report for May

www.serbsforserbs.org 2012

SAINT GEORGE DAY WITH THE LJILJKOV’S

The total value of assistance we provided was 120,000 dinars and travel costs amounted to 10,720 dinars.

We are thankful to our friends from Home Market stores in Belgrade gave us great discount on their fine furniture items which saved us tens of thousands of dinars.

After the Devine Liturgy on St. George’s day two teams from humanitarian organization Serbs For Serbs took off to Neuzine near Secnja to celebrate the great holiday.

The rays of the sun illuminated our path to the Ljiljkov’s house where we would also deliver gifts to them.

After two hours of traveling we were greeted by the smiling faces of Ilija, Jovica, and Rajka – the youngest members of this valuable eleven member family. They were undoubtedly the happiest with our visit; the gifts we presented them with gave them a lot of joy: - Chair (9 pcs.), - Couch, - Two-seater (2 pcs.), - Three-winged wardrobe, - Double door cabinet, - Plates and cups.

Stojanka, one member of the family recently celebrated her 18th birthday and to conclude the celebration members of the Novi Sad branch prepared a special gift for her which consisted of clothing and cosmetics. In addition they provided her with spiritual literature as a kind of preparation for the Holy Baptism. The baptism is set to be celebrated in May in Fruska Krušedol monastery. Stojanka also received a music deck, and her two brothers were given two mobile phones. It was a real surprise for the entire family who was very grateful for the gifts and we were happy to bring them joy and materials that will be useful in their daily lives.

Charity organization Serbs for Serbs www.serbsforserbs.org PO Box 34206, Chicago, IL 60634 Phone: +1-312-85-SERBS

Monthly Report for May

www.serbsforserbs.org 2012 festive table where we continued to have discussions and share stories. The eight members of our organization were also accompanied by Jadranko who put together the furniture and donated a hair dryer and an extension cord. The day concluded with a photographing all who were present.

The organization’s male team members led a serious discussion with father Slavko and his sons about future projects and plans to keep the family afloat with guidance and assistance from “Serbs for Serbs”.

Meanwhile the women enjoyed the day playing with the children and having a joyful conversation with the mother, wife, hero, and foundation of the family.

We also agreed to visit the first week on summer vacation the youngest female members of the family that live in Novi Sad. This agreement brought the most joy to little Jovica who has tried all day to keep us in the good mood and to make us feel welcomed. After defining the next steps of cooperation, our hosts honored us with a

Joy and the spirit of true friendship ruled on St. George's day and the company of the Ljiljkovih’s made our day more pleasant. Any piece of furniture we’ve donated cannot be compared with the quantity of pure and noble love that we were generously given by these youngsters.

In the world we live in such demonstrations of generosity and love in is now a real rarity.

Report: Jelena Lakic, Milana Grk

Charity organization Serbs for Serbs www.serbsforserbs.org PO Box 34206, Chicago, IL 60634 Phone: +1-312-85-SERBS

Monthly Report for May SFS HELPED FAMILY RAJIČIĆ

www.serbsforserbs.org 2012 of the difficult position of both families, the organization decided to deliver them groceries in the amount of 10,000 dinars for each family, and thus alleviate their concerns. We move forward! No surrender!

Charity organization Serbs for Serbs helped at the end of April family Rajičić from Smederevo. A single mother Maja and her four children, apart from the everyday problems, have suffered a great tragedy. Maja's baby died due to the heart condition. Taking that in account, the organization decided to donate them the help in the amount of 20,000 dinars for groceries and other necessary things. We are sincerely sorry for this sad situation, and we hope that the family will experience better days. _____________________________________________

HELP FOR FAMILIES KOSTIĆ AND UROŠEVIĆ

At the end of April, Charity organization Serbs for Serbs helped two families in Belgrade – a nine-member family Kostić and a refugee seven-member family Urošević. After the appeal for help, and the knowledge

Charity organization Serbs for Serbs www.serbsforserbs.org PO Box 34206, Chicago, IL 60634 Phone: +1-312-85-SERBS

Monthly Report for May

www.serbsforserbs.org 2012

SERBS FOR SERBS CELEBRATED THEIR SLAVA

Charity organization Serbs for Serbs celebrated on May 12th their slava St. Vasilije OstroĹĄki. The representatives of our organization from Belgrade gathered prior to the liturgy in the temple of St. Simeon MirotoÄ?ivi. On Sunday May 13th we organized the lunch in the restaurant Cer in New Belgrade, and gathered the members, volunteers, friends and donors. We summed up the previous actions and made the plans for the future ones. Our members from the branch in Los Angeles were special guests on the lunch.

The representatives of the SfS from New York also celebrated slava in the church of St. Sava. We prayed for all the members and donors of our organization in the US and all around the world, who are helping the Serbian people and endangered families in the entire Balkan.

Charity organization Serbs for Serbs www.serbsforserbs.org PO Box 34206, Chicago, IL 60634 Phone: +1-312-85-SERBS

Monthly Report for May “THREE-POINT SHOT IN THE BLOCK’’ WAS A SUCCESS

www.serbsforserbs.org 2012 The youngest participant of the competition was only 3 years and the oldest 62 years.

On May 19th humanitarian organization Serbs for Serbs organized the premier charity tournament shutting triplets called “Three-Point Shot in the Block” which was held on the grounds of the elementary school Laza Kostic in 23rd block in New Belgrade. Dejan Tomasevic, Dejan Bodiroga and the Basketball Association of Serbia supported the organization of this competition. The tournament was attended by over 100 athletes of different ages, and the winner of the competition was Jovan Radulovic with 13 points in the final.

The aim of this charity event was to fund raising for construction of a the house of six member family Balović from Raska region. Total revenue was 121,100 dinars which include donations from sponsors, participants and donors.

One of the main organizers of this humanitarian competition was Mladen Matijašević from the organization “Serbs for Serbs” who gave his comment on the entire event: – We have met all the expectations outlined before the tournament. We have invested a huge effort to organize this first kind of sport humanitarian event. We are pleased with the fact that we managed to gather mainly young people through sports and competition contribute to a chivalrous noble cause. We thank all participants, sponsors and donors who supported our event.

The tournament was officially opened with the threepoint shots by basketball player Dejan Milojevic a front of the Basketball Federation of Serbia and Bosko Ćirković Škabo from Belgrade’s Sindikat. Music part of the program was led by rap group THC La Familia and Fantastic Four.

After three classes qualifications of “fierce fighting” for the three points, the top 10 competitors qualified for the finals and were awarded modest prizes commodity. In addition to Jovan Radulovic, winner, second place went to Marko Miskovic while the third was Aleks Pištoljić.

Charity organization Serbs for Serbs www.serbsforserbs.org PO Box 34206, Chicago, IL 60634 Phone: +1-312-85-SERBS

Monthly Report for May

www.serbsforserbs.org 2012 SUCCESSFUL SFS PARTY IN BELGRADE

Journalists and SOS channels Tanjug were on site and covered this unique humanitarian event.

This humanitarian event wholeheartedly supported: Basketball Association of Serbia, Dejan Bodiroga, Dejan Tomasevic, Dejan Milojevic, city municipality Novi Beograd, THC la Familia and the Fantastic Four, The principle of the press, Snail Little Theatre, director, teachers and pupils of “Laza Kostic”, Red Bull, and Dag Beo, while the sponsors of this event were: ASBV thermodynamics, gym FitLine Gym, City Service, Belgrade, Targo telecom, tennis club Gazelle, Max cafe, Miškone plastik, and Proud Mary.

Charity organization Serbs for Serbs successfully organized a party at the Belgrade club Garden on May 24. This charity evening was dedicated to the raising of funds for the house of the Balović family from the Raška area. In spite of rain, we had almost 200 guests at the party, from Belgrade, Serbia, and the rest of the world. We collected the amount of 60,940 dinars, 130 EUR and 20 pounds. We would like to thank the Scandal band, who took care of the atmosphere, the Garden club and all employed, and to all of our friends who contributed in making another good deed. THANK YOU!

Charity organization Serbs for Serbs www.serbsforserbs.org PO Box 34206, Chicago, IL 60634 Phone: +1-312-85-SERBS

Monthly Report for May SCS ZENEVA FOR THE BALOVIĆ FAMILY Serbian Cultural Society Zeneva from Switzerland paid 4,000 EUR on the bill of the Charity organization Serbs for Serbs, in order to help building a house to the six-member family Balović from the village Rajetiće. This great project, which our organization started at April 2012, requires a lot of money, but thanks to the noble people, we forsee sucсessfull completion of the home for this socially endangered family. Another thank to the Serbian Cultural Society Zeneva for their support and trust! _____________________________________________

CHARITY CONCERT IN WIENNA

www.serbsforserbs.org 2012 The income from the concert: • sponsors – 350 EUR, • donations – 2,122 EUR and 50 dinars, • T-shirts – 132 EUR, • cd 70 EUR. Total amount raised: 2,674 EUR and 50 dinars.

Costs of organizing the concert: • rental of the club – 290 EUR, • flyers – 40 EUR, • posters – 70 EUR, • hostel – 345 EUR, • meals – 50 EUR, • security – 270 EUR, • transportation 750 EUR. Total costs: 1,815 EUR. In the end, we had a neto income of 859 EUR. We use this opportunity to thank all the sponsors (Gabel&Co., Cafe Bar-Sportwetten Prestige, Tesla Elektrotechnik), donors and friends of our organization who attended the event, and thus contributed in making the future of our people better! _____________________________________________

PROMOTION OF THE MAGAZINE HELD IN WIENNA On Saturday, May 26, famous Belgrade rap groups THC la Familija and the Fantastična četvorka held a great charity concert in Wienna, at the club All In. Charity organization Serbs for Serbs from Austria organized the concert, attended by over 200 people, who contributed to the fantastic atmosphere. We are proud to announce that we gathered 2,674 EUR and 50 dinars.

The concert was opened by young Wienna rap players: Spike & Brainfuck Entertainment and Ortaci – Švaba, Pinki and Manijak, who heated the atmosphere, and after them Škabo, Marlon Brutal, their group Fantastična četvorka and THC la Familija.

The guests had the opportunity to get to know the work and mission of our organization and to leave a charity donation, buy a T-shirt or cd of the groups. The entire amount will be used for the actions on Kosovo and Metohija and in Serbian Krajina, with the aim of helping the endangered families and their children.

On Sunday, May 27, in the organization of the Serbian Orthodox Youth Insbruk – SPO(J)I, and with the support of the Serbian educational and cultural society Prosvjeta and the Austrian branch of the Charity organization Serbs for Serbs, a promotion of the third number of the magazine Spoji! was held, with the main issue Migration of the population and the highly educated, i.e. why it is necessary to come back to our roots and the homeland.

The Charity organization Serbs for Serbs organized a charity stand, and managed to raise 359 EUR by selling the magazines and other items.

Charity organization Serbs for Serbs www.serbsforserbs.org PO Box 34206, Chicago, IL 60634 Phone: +1-312-85-SERBS

Monthly Report for May

www.serbsforserbs.org 2012

Donors in May: 1. Chicago Desavanja - $20

Number of donors in 2012.

2. Nikola Ostojic (NY) - $50 3. Milan Dobras (AZ) - $15 4. Zelimirka Krsmanovic (IL) - $30 5. Slav Karach (GA) - $25 6. Dejan Petrovic (IL) - $15 7. Ivan Aksenijevic (MD) - $25 8. Rade Bunijevac - $50 9. Dragana W. - $40 10. Ivan Radulovic (NY) - $25

120 110 100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0

11. Sasa Savic (TX) - $50 12. Goran Trifunovic (IL) - $50 13. Milos Mladenovic - $25 14. Prota Djokan Majstorovic (NY) - $200 15. Christopher Petrovic (CAN) - $25 16. AT&T Co. - $48.35

Donations in 2012.

17. Zeljko Bajic (CAN) - $50 18. Mladen and Milica Simic (TX) - $40

16000

19. SZS Krajiska braca - $150

14000 12000

20. Petko Petrovic (IL) - $20

10000

21. Alex Ilic (IL) - $15 22. Aleksandar Krsmanovic (NY) - $50 23. Srdjan Markovic (CA) - $25 24. Ankica D. (NJ) - $25

8000 6000 4000 2000

25. Zelimir Lucic (NY) - $50

0

26. La Pomme Club NY - $300 26. Serbosi Kanada (CAN) - $530 27. Ivan Mihailovic (CA) - $50 TOTAL IN MAY: $1,998.35

Charity organization Serbs for Serbs www.serbsforserbs.org PO Box 34206, Chicago, IL 60634 Phone: +1-312-85-SERBS

CHARITY ORGANIZATION SERBS FOR SERBS

www.serbsforserbs.org office@serbsforserbs.org