By Ljiljana Vasic | Director
Aleksandar (in two weeks time coming of age) and Aleksandra (almost 21), a brother and sister from a small town in Vojvodina in the northern Serbia, were always cheerful, full of energy children doing great at school and living in a happy family. They both graduated from the elementary school with the greatest honours and awards as best pupils in their generations.
Four years ago, the floods took almost everything they had. Just a month later, Aleksandra graduated from the secondary school, again with the greatest honours and with the award of the best student of her generation at school. Two years ago, just as they were recovering from the damage the floods had made, their father fell ill and three months later, as the last straw, a factory in which he had worked for almost 24 years closed, so he was sick and unemployed. With unemployed mother, the whole family was left without any income. Aleksandra was in her second year at University in another town (the first year she had completed with the average grade 9.46 – 10.0 being the highest theoretical grade) and Aleksandar was in his second year of the secondary school with the first year completed previously with the average grade 5.0 which is the theoretical maximum in secondary schools). “We didn’t know what to do. There was no money to continue our education, there was no money even for our transportation to University or school. We both felt helpless, we thought we needed to do more, our school records were not enough to find any help for any of us or the family as such, but we didn’t know what we could do” – quietly was saying Aleksandar.
They found our email address and wrote us a letter at the beginning of the school year 2016/2017. They gave us all the contact numbers, the address, photos of their diplomas, invited us to their home to see the situation and simply wrote: “Unless you found us worthy of your attention and could help us in any way, we would not be able to continue our education. Please, at least, read our letter and see why we are writing to you”. We did read their letter an talked to them.
You trusted us and were giving donations for supporting children affected by the floods. So, we were actually able to help them. We started paying Aleksandra’s transportation costs and proved Aleksandar with the scholarship.
Today, Aleksandra is in her third year at University, still keeping her average grade at around 9.5 and Aleksandar is in his third year at the secondary school with the average grade still 5.0. “You have made us believe in ourselves again, believe that our efforts are recognised, valued and that this is the way we can complete our education and take one huge worry off our parents’ backs”, comments Aleksandra. “We are grateful beyond words to each and every person who has helped us with a donation to get my monthly bus pass and the brother’s scholarship. We both know that as soon as we get into a position to be employed and earn money, we will help others. We know how much it means to someone who has lost all hope to regain confidence and belief that if you do your best, someone will give you a hand and help jump over the troubled water”.
Please, help us help more children like Aleksandar and Aleksandra! Any individual donation up to 50 USD will be matched 50% during the five-day Little by Little Matching Campaign (April 9 - 13th)! And every new recurring donation will be matched 100%!
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By Ljiljana Vasic | Director
By Ljiljana Vasic | Director
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