HOPE IN HUMANITY AND GOODNESS
23.02.2012
In the framework of social support to vulnerable population Palilula, the president, PhD Igor Novakovic, with his associates and donors, visited the family home Sladjana Dimitrijevic, a single mother, with a twelve-year old daughter Miljana who live in Ledena Stena. On this occasion, thanks to the company "Svetlost" and the action of RTV "Zone", Sladjana Dimitrijevic was delivered a solid fuel stove and gifts from Municipality of Nis and the Dairy company Niska Mlekara and company "Jumis".

This family we have promised more fuel, said the president Novakovic. Late last year, we provided three meters of wood over a project through the Exchange 3 programme and we provided also other assistance and help. Now we also brought a package of basic foodstuffs and household chemicals. According to Novakovic words, Exchange project has helped the Municipal government to see the true social picture of Palilula. As part of this action project municipal teams have visited more than 4000 families. For us in Palilula - said the president Novakovic, every human life is more important than a few inches of asphalt. "Fellow journalists, following our activities, you have seen human destinies, unfortunately many still do not realize it. I thank the company "Svetlost" for showing solidarity and RTV "Zona". "Svetlost" is one of the few companies to join our journey and donated a stove to the family. President announced that the Municipality will buy Miljana books for the seventh grade the same day. New clothes was also provided for this girl. Mother Sladjana is receiving social assistance RSD 8000 and only these books cost 13,000 dinars. Needless to talk about how the family cope.

This help means a lot to me, said Sladjana Dimitrijevic, visibly excited about the visit. I am very pleased. I have no stove for years. When I heard the news that I will get it as a gift I could not sleep from happiness and joy. I live on social assistance, which is 8000 dinars. From this we take apart 2,000 dinars to the alimony I pay for my husband with whom my son lives. I have already received the help from Palilula in the form of packages and wood. My daughter and I are living through with this difficult poverty. He has no conditions to learn and therefore is not much of a student. Several times she left the house and tried to escape. Other friends do not want to come and visit her because she is ashamed of her house and way she lives. I asked the Center for Social Work to house, but they told me that I need to be disabled in order to put me somewhere. It's hard living through this winter. We managed a little bit to warm up but this house is leaking.

According to PhD Igor Novakovic, president of Municipality, at a time when borders were determined by future urban municipalities of Nis, somehow they are unhappily divided and not taken into account the social map of the population. Now we are in the municipality of Palilula in a very precarious position. According to official statistics, 46 percent of users of the Centre for Social Work in Nis from the territory are from our municipality, said Novakovic, and the unofficial statistics exceed more than 50 percent. Much of the population is " invisible." These are people without identity documents, particularly among residents of Roma settlements, refugees and dislocated persons. In the past year, with the realization of projects supporting vulnerable population of Palilula and cooperation with the Center for Social Work, workers of the municipality visited thousands of residents and provided assistance to the vulnerable category of citizens and then registered all these families of Palilula Municipality.