The New Strength of a Nation: Serbs for Serbs – A Charity Organization

To have goodwill, to be an aid for someone we do not personally know, to let those warm feelings of humanity well up inside of us since we have accomplished something good, presented humanity with our own, small contribution.

The charity organization, “Serbs for Serbs,” was founded in 2005. They differentiate themselves from other organizations thanks to the transparency and financial openness they offer their donors. Their bank statements are published daily, as well as the names of all donors, and the amounts of their donations. All expenses are documented with receipts which are published on their website along with clear announcements of their actions, which are presented with pictures and video recordings after the completion of a project.

These young people were brought together by the idea of uniting Serbs in their homeland with Serbs in diaspora, the idea of awakening the strength and initiating solidarity among Serbian people, all with the ultimate aim of materially and morally strengthening less fortunate Serbian families. Aside from numerous other acknowledgments for their ten years of work, His Holiness the Patriarch Irinej appointed them to the Order of St. Sava, 2^nd class.

The organization’s aim is to put less fortunate families back on their feet, and help them become valuable members of society who will live off of their own work. The principles behind the activities of “Serbs for Serbs” are based on their personal visitations with families, during which they openly address the key problems that are being faced. The aid that would be offered is then defined, as needed: the purchase of building materials, livestock and agricultural machinery, repair or additional construction of housing or stables, the purchase of home appliances or items necessary for work, among other forms of assistance. “Serbs for Serbs” never offers direct financial aid to families, since they believe it is their responsibility towards the donors to secure what is most necessary, and they make clear announcements concerning what this entails on their website: www.srbizasrbe.org.

“Serbs for Serb” has made great strides in helping those affected by the flood of 2014. Since its inception, the foundation has accrued 1.4 million euros, helping more than 1500 Serbian families who live across the regions which are still, and once used to be, a part of the country. Although the initial motive was to provide assistance for families with a large amount of children who are living in difficult circumstances and poverty, the organization has not shied away from aiding clinics, hospitals, meal centres, and schools as well.

Over the course of its ten-year existence, the organization has expanded to Austria, Germany, Switzerland, the U.S., Republika Srpska, Montenegro, as well as Australia and the Netherlands.

In November 2015, the Canadian branch, Serbs for Serbs Canada, was officially registered. The governing committee of the Canadian branch are: Angelina Račić, Mirjana Brkić, Lidija Borojević, Olga Lukić, and Dragana Kubura. These hard-working women felt that it was necessary to help their people and fatherland through their hard work and involvement in Canada.

The present sum that has been gathered by fundraisers, two Christmas campaigns and two events held at the Serbian Centre in Mississauga, is a total of $40, 400! They are anticipating an official not-for-profit designation from the Canadian government, which will allow them to publish their tax reciepts. Friends of Serbs for Serbs Canada – the organization Serbos, which constitutes ten families – donate an average of $30 a month, and have sent in around $32, 000 since 2009. Grains of sand can make up a mountain, and each of us are a grain of sand.

An upcoming fundraiser, “the Pancake Social,” is scheduled for the 15^th of May at the Serbian Centre in Mississauga, immediately after the liturgy. For more information visit: www.srbizasrbe.org. Contact: serbsforserbscanada@gmail.com.