Dear all,
Here is little more in-depth info regarding donation of protinica Jelena Milunovic’s church, Holy Resurrection Cathedral. I have to tell you that at each school in Kosovo and Metohija I spoke about our kids’ activity here and that they gave up their presents for them. Protinica Jelena Milunovic simply did an amazing job!!!!! And all of this dedicated to KIM.
Here is how it all went....On January 25, 2021 we arrived late at the village of Bostane in Novo Brdo. PR and editor for children’s magazine ‘Svetosavsko Zvonce’ travelled with us from the Patriarchy.
Early in the morning on January 26th we visited school O.S. “ Miladin Popovic” in Bostane, to deliver eight laptop computers, mouses and WiFi printer/scanner/copier. It was snowing and cold, and beautiful to sit inside the warm house. Traveling was very challenging. Father Stevo has an old jeep that is very appropriate for this type of weather and terrain. We could travel only that way. Ubavka Tasic, director of school in Bostane, was waiting for us. The need for computers was really great. As in any Serbian house, they offered us welcoming drinks. Due to the weather conditions and the long day ahead of us, we had to decline. At the school they had a little kitchen and were preparing donuts for children’s breakfast. Before we knew it, a huge plate with warm donuts was packed for us. We continued to school O.S. “St. Sava” in Paralovo. There we delivered gifts for each child and had coffee with the staff. We listened to their needs, issues and problems.
Outside it was snowing without stopping for a minute. And it was COLD.
Next school was O.S. “ Dositej Obradovic'' in Prekovci. Due to weather conditions kids had to go home early, we just visited the school, had a little talk with Mica Ivanovic, school director and decided to give kids gifts tomorrow, when we come for cutting of the kolac for Saint Sava. Then we proceeded to school O.S. “ Petar Petrovic Njegos” in Makres.
Following Makres we visited O.S. “St. Sava'' in Jasenovik. Here was the awakening for us: Under the same roof were both Serbian and Albanian schools. At the entry-hall on the right wall are posters in Albanian and on the left wall in Serbian. On the floor there are silver footsteps that give directions to Albanian children and classrooms. Inside are all Albanian symbols and flags. (At one point they had a poster in which Albanian soldier holds a gun to Serbian man’s forehead. School called the international organization that oversees these issues and they were asked to remove such posters.) All Serbian classrooms are on the second floor. It was so difficult to comprehend the lifestyle here. With Jasenovik, we concluded this day with a glass of very needed Metohija wine.BTW, during the day electricity went out so many times, but evening was very romantic with candles.January 27th, St. Sava day, we started with liturgy at the local church in Bostane. ‘Svetosavsko Zvonce’ brought the kolac because it is their slava.
Kids from Bostane school came to church carrying a huge icon of St. Sava. They do that every year; it is the tradition. It was about 25F outside; they came through the snow with teachers. Scene was very emotional for us. Outside of the church priest gave the little speech, and the school gave awards to their children. It truly brought us back in time. Following all these events, we gave the gifts to children of Bostane school in the font of the church.All cold and sad and happy ( I think only in KIM I’m sad and happy at the same time) we proceeded to Prekovce school to cut the kolac, give the gifts and chat with the teachers. Father cut the kolac at two more schools. We did not go with him; by this time I did not feel my fingers or toes. He brought us home to a wood-burning ‘Smederevac’ (stove) and a glass of wine. Life is not easy here...At about midnight on St. Sava, we arrived in Beograd.
Regards, Mira
