A special thank you to Saint Basil of Ostrog Serbian Orthodox Church for the honor to present some of the amazing things that Our Serbs has been able to accomplish!
"Today during the Fellowship Lunchtime two speakers were invited to help us remember and honor Vidovodan and the history of the Serbian holy land and to share what is going on there today. Dunja Vla is a church school teacher and has taught Serbian language classes too. She shared and explained a part of a well-known poem about Vidovdan. Dunja reminded us all what has happened in the area, not only in 500 years of Turkish rule but also things that followed.
Kathy Fanslow then shared what is happening there today, what are the greatest needs, and what help is being delivered. She stressed that the people they are helping in Kosovo want to stay on their family land. They want to support and to feed their own families there. They don't want to abandon their churches and monasteries. God bless these people. They don't want to leave their family's land or their churches. There is a special bond with the clergy of the area.
Kathy also shared information about the livestock purchased for families to help provide food and then hopefully the livestock will increase their numbers so eventually people will not only have food but extra to sell to others so that they can purchase other things they need.
The clergy there and Our Serbs try to make the help self-sustaining whenever possible. Needs are met by purchasing things in Serbia and to save the high costs of shipping things there. It also helps support local jobs and businesses. For example, the windows for the Neogtin kolo building were purchased from a monastery that makes and sells custom windows to sustain their monastery.
Our Serbs is also responsible for purchasing the land that now has permanently secured the only water source to Monastery Gracanica in Kosovo.
The overview of Kosovo today enlightened everyone on the positive things in people's lives as well as, the needs that lie ahead that need attention and help.
Thank you to Dunja and Kathy for highlighting Kosovo of past and Kosovo today. We can't change the past, but we can make a difference today and for the future. God bless all the clergy and faithful who try to live their lives there and all those who donate and visit there."
Content & presentation from Saint Basil of Ostrog Serbian Orthodox Church Facebook Page.
The kolo building be prepared to become a building to serve the community is a variety of ways that include for medical services, food support distribution, cultural purposes, and other community services.
The Circle of Serbian Sisters (Kolo) in Negotin built its Home from 1929 to 1932. The construction began in 1928 on the conceded land of the old church of Most Holy Mother of God in Negotin, on the area of 10 acres, with the help of prominent citizens of Negotin, especially traders and craftsmen, and mainly thanks to the aid of the Royal House and Queen Marija Karađorđević. Kolo enjoyed a great support and help of the Municipality of Negotin, especially from the Municipality president of that time, Mr. Bora Lazarević.
Contributions from donors went to helping to restore the internationally recognized structure for its historical significance back into operation to begin to help the needy people of a high poverty area of Serbia.
Ninty special needs adults live at this monastery.
Our Serbs helping families in highest poverty levels and those trying to remain in Kosovo.
The cow is also expecting a calf so soon there will be two.
One family has been rebuilding their home for many years on their land where the previous home was completely destroyed. The say it is their land, their homeland and their life and they want to remain on what is theirs and in their family for generations.
Father Dobrivoje Milunovic met up with Our Serbs in Kosovo to see first hand their work there. Father Milunovic is a priest at Holy Resurrection Cathedral in Chicago. (3rd from right).
Our Serbs delivers a farm cultivator purchased by donors.
Father Dobrivoje Milunovic of Holy Resurrection Cathedral (on left) met up with Our Serbs board members to see first hand things in Kosovo.
It costs about $1800-1900 to purchase a cow for a family.
A playground will be built for these children who only have the street to play in.
Kathy said that the people they help in Kosovo want to stay. They want to be on their own land and provide for their own family. This family needed tools to earn a living. Our Serbs donors made this possible.
Vladika followed the Chicago Bulls team when Nikola Mirotic played on the team. He said it would be nice to have Mirotic's autograph so Kathy brought the signed ball before Nikola moved to New Orleans.
Discussing ideas for helping more.
Our Serbs has partnered with the Women's Center for breast cancer and examination education. Women are currently sent home without any instruction how to take care of themselve. Now they are educated about care and examination.
Patriarach Irinej requested to meet with the board members to thank them for their help and to discuss new needs and ways to help.
Last winter Kathy and board members worked side by side with staff at the Soup Kitchen to prepare and serve meals for the homeless.
This family received a woodburning stove for cooking and to heat their home. They also received a small refrigerator so they can keep milk and other essential for their children.
It costs $3-400 to purchase a sheep for a family.
Located at
Francuska 31/1st Floor
11000 Beograd SERBIA
Telephone : 011-381-064-434-9550
Mira Gusic is the representative in Belgrade. People can directly contact the office there now.