Day 1 - June 17, 2019
Hello All,
Well we arrived safe and sound to Belgrade as always a pretty long trip, but are very excited to begin our journey to Kosovo Metohija Wednesday.
This afternoon was a calm and get settled kind of a day. Had a very Serbian dinner with Mira and Zoran and much talk of what our plans are for the next 5 days heading to Kosovo-Metohija. So tired, but also so excited. Tomorrow looking forward to meeting at the Basketball Club “Partizan” to meet with their General Manager and sports Director Mr. NIkola Loncar.
Day 2
Today we had the pleasure of accepting a generous donation from the Basketball Club “Partizan” Beograd and met their General Manager and Sports Director Mr. Nikola Loncar. Nikola Loncar is a former professional basketball player who played for Partizan - Real Madrid - Maccabi Tel Aviv among others.
Nikola Loncar was a member of the Yugoslavian basketball team which won a Silver Medal in the 1996 Olympics held in Atlanta, Georgia. He also won a Gold Metal at the 1998 FIBA World Championship in Greece and two FIBA European Championship medals, gold in 1997 and bronze in 1999.
After ending his basketball playing career in 2006, Nikola began working on Spanish television as a studio analyst for the NBA coverage on Movistar+platform.
Mr. Loncar recognized the effort of Our Serbs and the great work that the organization does, specifically in the territories of Kosovo and Metohija and for this reason he wanted to help.
Our meeting was also attended by Our Serbs Associate, Mr. Mirko Gavrilovic who helped to open new doors and boundless opportunities in the humanitarian field between Basketball Club “Partizan” and “Our Serbs”.
We are looking forward to collaborating on future projects with Partizan.
This donation will head to Kosovo with our board members and clergy during the June 2018 visit to the region and delivered to the children of Kosovo and Metohija . The generous and heart felt donation given to Our Serbs by the Partizan team is dedicated to the students in the Serbian Orthodox Seminary of Saints Cyril and Methodists in Prizen.
Had a nice dinner With an old friend catching up with for years. Have to go to bed now must leave the hotel by 7 AM heading to Kosovo-Metohija.
Day 3
Well, here we go on the bus again at 7:00 AM. We are on our way to Vrnjacka Banja to see Milica Breast Cancer Woman’s Center. If you remember we adopted this center last year to help the cancer survivors. About 3 hrs later we arrived to a room full of cancer survivors and women currently fighting cancer, sadly we learned that we lost two of the ladies from last year.
They told us how they are reaching out to women in the area to educate them on the early detection of breast cancer and this center continues to support over 60 women and families affected by Breast cancer.
We then headed to the Village of Crkvena Vodica in Obilic Municipality and visited the Markovic family (Ivica, Bojana, children Magdalena 11 yrs, Miljana 9yrs and Helena 5yrs. To whom Our Serbs donated a cow. They told us that the cow changed their lives and they always have milk and cheese to feed their family. A second cow would allow them to sell some of the milk and cheese where they can make a bit of extra money to help with the other necessary needs for the family. We did not say, but as we were talking later in the bus we thought that maybe we could do that and help.
We also met Popadija Svetlana who runs the soup kitchen in the Novo Brdo near the Gracanica Monastery.
We ended our day at Pecka Patrijarsija Monastery that is one of the most beautiful places you could imagine. We were invited to spend the two nights there. Of all the things they need for the bitter cold weather we brought them the socks and tights they asked for. We stayed at this peaceful monastery nestled in the Kosovo Mountains. You would never know they are in the middle of such conflict.
Need to get some rest now, so talk to you tomorrow.
Day 4
Dear All,
Ready for another busy day, but wow how exciting these days are.
We started our day attending Liturgy with Fr. Radivoy. We then headed to Opraske to visit the Miletic Family (Petko, Snezana, Lazar 13 yrs Tamara 15 yrs) for whom Our Serbs purchased a greenhouse. And what an incredible job they did! This greenhouse was bursting with beautiful vegetables from front to back. They told us that although their life is not perfect, it is better now that they have a purpose and a way to earn money.
This family is a great example of a donation resulting in self-sustenance. Another equally important note is that during our visit while we talk, listen and laughed, Petko said: “thank you for coming, we never get visitors and this is so nice for us”. They smiled the entire time we were there.
Our next stop was Orahovac where we purchased the pump to provide water for the village. Fr. Velja he showed us his partially finished gathering space next to the church that they have been working on for the past year. This important space will allow Serbs in the area to meet, gather, and provide a safe place for Slava. They are in need of appliances in order to finish the kitchen area.
We then met journalist/teacher Olivera Radic to discuss the Kosovo-Metohija current status and how they are coping. We also were lucky enough to have a glass of her homemade wine.
Our next stop was to Prizren. There we visited the rebuilt St George Church and Serbian Orthodox Seminary of Saints Cyril and Methodists in Prizren. There were learned that there are very few Serbs in the area, but they are hopeful that little by little they will return. Headed back to the Monastery for bedtime by midnight (hopefully). Tomorrow is another full day.
Day 5
Hello Our friends,
Must apologize to you for the late report of this day, but the connections are not so good in here in Kosovo Metohija.
Today after Church Service with Fr. Radivoj, we said our good byes and headed to Gracanica Monastery to finally see the land that we purchased which contains the main water source for the Monastery. It was such an unbelievable feeling of satisfaction to view the water well that is now in the hands of the place that needs it the most. Drinking from this water source was pretty incredible.
From there we are on our way to the Devine Voda Monastery in Zvecan. We met with Abbess Fotije and Abbess Danilo of Monastery Banjska. We had dinner and discussed all the problems and what changes they would like to see for the Monastery Region. We headed back to Monastery Zika in Kraljevo for the night.
Good night and we will talk tomorrow.
Day 6
Hello All,
On our way to Negotin, where many people are waiting for us so they can begin the consecration and celebration for something that took 3 years to complete. It took a bit longer than normal due to many road closures due to construction.
The Consecration of KSS building in Negotin was far more than expected. As we pulled up it seemed the entire town came out to join in this event which indicates the importance of this building to the church and community as a whole. The Blessing of the building took place on a hot afternoon at 1pm, and the Consecration was officiated by Bishop of Timocka Krajina Ilarion
Abbess of Monastery Bukovo, father Kozma
Father Ranko Jovic of Negotin
Father Milan Radovic of Negotin
Father Marko Pajcin of Negotin
Father Marjan Kreculj of Negotin
Father Radivoj Panic from Saint Sava church Beograd
Deacon Ilija Jovanovic of Negotin
Deacon Uros Pamucar of Negotin
The President of Negotin municipality, as well as many media stations, were present. There was singing and heartfelt speeches made and Our Serbs were recognized for our very important role in making this all happen. I must say, the building looks beautiful and as the Kolo President mentioned in her speech, this building will serve generations to come as it has in the past. With your help, we were able to preserve this wonderful piece of history,
Queen Maria would be proud!
Day 7
We got back to Belgrade late last night, it was great to be back to the hotel and sleep in an air-conditioned room.
HOW SPOILED ARE WE, we really don’t realize that until you look back on the last four days.
Today was an exciting day!
We headed out early for Father Radivoy’s village of Lok, near Novi Sad. We attended services at his beautiful small church and had coffee in his childhood home where he was raised. After services, we visit with Misa Blizanac, who runs the nonprofit ISON. He is a famous vocal soloist and musician who has turned his attention to this organization. We met his group last Christmas when he sang for the gift giving at St Sava Hram. This incredible organization provides therapy for children and adults with disabilities. Misa includes each person in some way. His faculty provides music, art, and equine therapy and allows the members to work with him in his bottling facility to earn money and feel included and significant.
We then went to “The Land of the Living” facility in Novi Sad. There we learned of this nonprofit that assists drug addicts in recovery and reintroduction into society. Father wanted us to visit to shed light on this growing issue in Serbia. This group was men’s building. They have three buildings, the other two are women’s recovery facility. There were 15 men there in the recovery group. Each man stood up and gave his story of the addiction they have, how it began and where progress is now. They all have children and hope to leave there and start a new life. Mira, Lynn and I were in tears and wished them the very best, knowing that for the moment they are doing their very best.
From there we went to the Village of Lok to see the Sloga Soccer Club. This 125-year-old club is the pride of this small village. As we arrived we could sense the excitement from the crowd. After the game, we presented the team with the Jerseys and professional soccer shoes donated by the Chicago Fire Soccer Team. The kids could not wait to get their new uniforms and shoes on. We brought these from Chicago with the help of Veljko Paunovic and a thank you to Aleksander Zigic for the contact with Veljko for the second year.
Our last stop was the Kovilj Monastery in Novi Sad. We visited with the Monks and learned of the history of this beautiful well run monastery. I’m not a rakija fan, but they make the best Dunja rakia. (I’m just saying)
This day provided both happy and sad moments, but show that we always have hope for a better tomorrow! We must keep trying and Our Serbs will continue to do just exactly that. Back to Belgrade in a horrible storm, but arrived at about 8:30 starving. Said goodnight to our traveling partners, went to eat. Ohhh we don’t have to be ready in the morning and on the bus by 7:00 am.
Good night
Day 8
Well my friends this journey is almost over and what a journey it has been. This is my 5th. Trip to Kosovo-Metohija and I feel that this has been the longest, most tiresome, saddest, happiest and the most gratifying trip I’ve ever taken.
If you have followed my reports I know you understand what I mean.
Today we went to visit our Children’s Shelter and visit with my 10 year friend Danijela Stajkovic who runs this incredible shelter. They finished Rehabilitation on this building of four years of very hard work, sweat and many tears. We spent 3 hours with these sad, but happy to be there children. Danijela is one of the hardest working and most courageous woman you will ever know. I am so proud of what she has accomplished and very proud to call her my friend. The facility they have now gives the children space and a clean, warm and mostly a safe place to at least for this moment gives them some hope and away from all the pain these children come from. Danijela and her beautiful staff gives them this hope. Tomorrow is our last day and want to tell you honestly I’m looking forward to going home to my own bed.
Tomorrow night I will send you my final report, For now good night.
Final Day
Hello All,
If you remember yesterday I had told you how great this journey has been and how good I felt about these last 10 days.
I can’t even begin to explain how I feel today. I have had a good life, many ups and downs, very sad days and very happy days, but as we all know that’s life.
Today was one of the most amazing days that I will never experience again. To be presented the St. Sava Order of Second Ranking Medal by our Patriarch Irinej, and to think that this medal is the highest civilian award that can be given by the Serbian Orthodox Church. Just how proud do you think I feel.
I am humbled, honored, and so grateful for the recognition of our Serbian Orthodox Church.
I need to say to you that this medal belongs to all the people that have worked and helped me to accomplish such an honor,
It takes a team to do what we do, I certainly could not do all that we have done to help our people without our team in America and here in Serbia. Also my husband Richard and my entire family, I thank you all.
This was a beautiful ending to a beautiful journey.
Tomorrow night I’ll be sleeping in my own bed.
