Finding the way home
Serb families were forced to leave their fields and property in the Zeljusa area when mortar attacks forced them out of their homes. Many of them sought refuge in Serb controlled areas of Eastern Herzegovina during the years of fighting. By the end of the war, DRC initiated public meetings to prepare their return and offered support for the reintegration, reconstruction and self-reliance of the Serb community. The involvement of both IDPs and local contractors and workers meant a division of economic benefits that further secured the general support for the projects.
Zdravko and Snjezana Radovic
The handshakes are firm, the eye contact steady and the smiles genuine as we are invited into the living room of the Radovic family. Carved in gold on a piece of wood are the words that encapsulate the visit – bless those who arrive, bless those who are here, bless those who leave.
- A home is not just a random place to settle – it is very emotional – we feel deeply connected to the soil of our forefathers. It is in a way a central part of our identity. I do not mean this in a sectarian way and I hold no grudges against anyone. But on the personal level I felt like the thirteenth piglet – the one left out with nothing to cling to during the seven years we were in refuge.
When the DRC offered us help to return there was no doubt in my mind. Even though the radicals made a show of force and questioned our motives, I went home to prepare the land to enable the DRC to rebuild the house – it was one of the happiest periods of my life. Later my wife and four children followed. We were the pioneers, but later more people arrived and assisted by DRC we were able to reestablish the community.
Now we are well integrated and my youngest son doesn´t even consider the ethnic or religious origin of his classmates. The major concern of his generation will be the high unemployment rate and lack of opportunities in Bosnia.
Radovan Radovic
Cheerful greetings, laughs and hectic gesture accompany us as we are guided to the well-kept front porch of Radovan Radovic’s house. The flowerpots are empty, but ready to be replanted in the spring and an unwired satellite disc faces the mountains awaiting a future signal – the optimism of Radovan has survived the hardship of refuge.
- Until I deserted, I spend a part of the war in Serb uniform on the mountains surrounding this house. Can you imagine the feeling of witnessing the destruction of the home you were forced to abandon?
We had to leave everything behind – photos, papers – all the personal things you collect during your life. One night I actually managed to sneak back to my house hiding in the dark, but everything was looted and destroyed – I have no words to describe the feeling of this loss.
When DRC began the process of reestablishing our community I became part of the effort. My role was to make sure everyone had access to farming tools and to assist in the general planning of the work. We started out just a few of us but as we made visible progress others followed and as you can see the idea of reestablishing this community have transformed ruins into houses, dirt into fields and ghosts into inhabitants.
I lost my wife just one year after we returned and in the middle of the sorrow I was comforted by the fact that she didn’t leave this life as a refugee. The dream of returning was always there, but if the opportunity hadn’t been offered to us it would just have stayed a dream.
