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Real Life Stories
of internally displaced persons and returnees.
Advancing
Together
Produced by:
Advancing
Together
www.advancing-together.org
Prishtinë, Kosovë
2019
Advancing
Together
Index
This booklet is an insight of what people’s experiences have Page 1 - Story of Zura Family
been like when they were fleeing their homeland and their Page 3 - Story of Sylejman Atallahu
return. Through the in-depth conversation with them and use Page 5 - Story of Krasniqi Family
of pictures we urge you to give a moment to explore feelings Page 7 - Story of Kryeziu Family
of identity, fear, loss, love, empathy, tolerance, peace, justice Page 9 - Story of Poprtnjak Stevica
and more.
Page 11 - Story of Shyqrije Selani
These are the stories that not only need to be told but also
Page 13 - Story of Živana Andrejević
need to be heard.
Page 15 - Story of Đuljiza Zenuni
Page 17 - Story of Eroll Makreshi
Page 19 - Story of Elvis Berisha
Page 21 - Story of Dashnim Berisha
Page 23 - Story of Ramë Zeqiri
Page 25 - Story of Veljko Komatovič
The views expressed in this publication are those of the Advancing Together (AT)
and do not reflect the official opinion of the UNHCR. Page 27 - Story of Besnik Abazi
Page 29 - Story of Šabotić Family
Advancing
Together
The Real Life Stories booklet is not intended to reflect on the compiler of the information -
charts of this type are sometimes inherently difficult to comprehend. It has been the ATs advo-
History is the witness that testifies to the passing of time; it illumines reality, vitalizes cacy for many years now to assemble all the information, designed in some type of reasonable
memory, provides guidance in daily life, and brings us tidings of the distant past. manner so everyone could attempt to discover the “easy to read- hard to forget”.
In principle, the value of family is most important to the public, whether we admit it or not. I had found a new awareness in myself through the knowledge of the stories of these families,
Even more important is the fact that a very large number of stories of these families have something I could never have achieved without taking the time to go through the charts and
remained untold to public. Advancing Together (AT) has attempted to preserve in both the history books. I hope that this booklet will serve its intended purpose - to present the lives
words and pictures, something very few families can claim. Family story is, usually some- of the people in a reasonably understandable format, along with the following story of the life
thing passed verbally from generation to generation and the only story that survives that of the families, who have gone through hardship, some found solution and some have not. Thus
type of treatment is the sensational, the tragic, or the most memorable to the party passing the concept of Real Life Stories represented in this booklet, is an attempt to describe the chal-
it. lenges the returnee families face and the need to do more in the field of finding durable solu-
tion for the most vulnerable returnees and internally displaced families.
Each story in this booklet is told excitedly, whispered suggestively, or told in glowing, glit-
tering terminology, becoming ever so more exciting or whispered each time. This is a type When you flip through the booklet, please realize something- You are not passing by the many
of history, but everyone must admit that we need to reflect on what we have heard and pages of a long book, but pause for a moment and reflect on the story those unknown faces and
realize how little we have actually learned about these inaudible families. In addition, with names tell. Take the short time to read some of the letters, and contemplate the life and experi-
that thought in mind, think back hard and try to visualize a mental picture of the appear- ences told by them. I guarantee you that it will not be time wasted, because you are reading
ance, the experience and the times of your own displacement and the hardship your family your history, the lives, dreams, hopes and sorrows of the people that make the great world it is
has faced to start from the scratch. Not easy, is it? Sure, you have an inkling of what they today.
went through, a vague idea. If you really thought about it, even believing you have a vague
idea is not really being truthful to yourself.
I do believe the stories of these families are to be valued as to become the stepping-stone
to the future and with the records, that we have meticulously maintained, we are indeed
fortunate, something none of us should take for granted.
Executive Director
A d v a n c i n g To g e t h e r
Story of Zura Family
Family has a house after municipality allocates land for them
“When we moved to our new family home, we were
the happiest in the world”!
Prior to displacement Adem used to live in a family
house in the village of Leshtarë/Lestare. Due to the
fear for the family’s security in 1999 he decided to
leave his house and went to Bujanovac in Serbia.
During the displacement Adem got married and
created a large family of 10 members.
As the living conditions in displacement were very difficult, he decided to return. His return
was not easy, the family house was in bad condition.
He stated that “Municipalities decision to allocate land for them has been the happiest
moment in his life”. The Roma family was provided with housing assistance through EU-RRK V.
He returned in Berivojcë/Berivojce, he says that he gets along very well with his neighbours.
Adem is very happy to see his children going to school, playing with their peers and having
opportunities.
And the greatest pleasure, he says, is “When I see my children happy and satisfied”.
Still there are socio-economic difficulties that preoccupy the family.
Page 1 - Story of Zura Family Page 2
Story of Sylejman Atallahu
“There is no place like home"!
Since 1999 Makreshi family has lived in displacement, in extreme poverty. After secu-
rity situation improved they returned to Fushë Kosovë/Kosovo Polje in 2010. Their
livingSylejman
conditions began atoTurkish
Atallahu improve only last year
community whenpainfully
member they benefited housing
remembers theassis-
tance.year 1999, when his house was burned in the centre of Vushtrri/Vučitrn. He
was forced to move to Prizren so he could find safety.
“We lived in a tent. The most difficult thing for us, was keeping a clean environ-
mentInwhile
2005lacking water
with the and sanitary
support facilities”.
of his siblings, he began the renovation of his
burnt home in the place of origin in Vushtrri/Vučitrn.
The financial situation of the family improved after they began receiving social assis-
tance."There
Eroll also
is noprovides forhome"
place like the family
- saysbySylejman.
doing construction work
While he was and alsohis
displaced, selling
goods in the
only localwas
dream market.
to return to his neighbourhood where he lived with the
people he loved.
Even with these difficulties Eroll sends his children to school because he wants a
betterAslife for them. of minor shelter repair program from UNHCR, Ministry for
a beneficiary
Communities and Return and the Municipality of Vushtrri/Vučitrn, he
finished his home renovation.
“It was the moment I had dreamed of”, says Sylejman.
Page 3 - Story of Sylejman Atallahu Page 4
Story of Krasniqi Family
After 19, years still in displacement.
“There is nothing I would want more than a home for my children”, said Nexhat, a
42-year-old Kosovo Roma. He is living with his wife and eight children in an
abandoned house which is in bad condition without water and electricity. The family
originates from Prizren, while for the last 19 years they have lived as displaced in
Rahovec/Orahovac.
“I was forced to change ten shelters in the past 19 years”, he continued. The family
relies in social welfare assistance and during summer, Nexhat works as a musician at
weddings by playing the drum.
The family lives in extreme poverty and he cannot afford to send his children to
school. The children beg on the streets for food. After the visit to the family,
Advancing Together advocated for support with the Red Cross of Kosova in
Rahovec/Orahovac, who supplied the family with clothing, food, non-food and
hygienic items.
The family was supported by the relatives to possess a plot in Xërxë/Zrze village,
Rahovec/Orahovac municipality and hopes that the institutions will assist with
housing reconstruction.
Page 5 - Story of Krasniqi Family Page 6
Story of Kryeziu Family
Reintegrated children in Kosovo Education System.
As a result of the conflict in Kosovo many families left their homes. Ferdi Kryeziu
with his parents was a refugee in North Macedonia. Ferdi created a family and his
three children, Zijadin, Hanife and Sumea, were born in Skopje. After 18 years the
family returned to Kosovo, in Graçanicë/Gračanica municipality.
Ferdi and his family are trying to adapt into the new society.
Since education is one of the most important steps for reintegration, children
were immediately enrolled in the Primary School in Kishnicë. Zijadin, Hanife and
Sumea were warmly welcomed by their peers and teachers.
All three children enjoy school and they passionately follow the classes. Zijadin,
11 years old, likes all about school and he says: “I like my teacher and my school”.
While Hanife, age 10, has a special connection to school. Hanife says: “What I
mostly like about school is learning mathematics”.
Sumea enjoys entertaining her peers, she said: “I like music. I really liked it when I
sang in front of pupils and teachers and they applauded me”.
Even with certain difficulties the parents are willing to support their children on
their education. Advancing Together also expresses its full commitment to help
and support this Roma family.
Page 7 - Story of Kryeziu Family Page 8
Story of Stevica Poprtnjak
The destiny of the family that lives in a collective centre!
Stevica is a refugee originally from Croatia. He flew the 1995 war and was
accommodated in a collective centre in Leposavič/Leposaviq.
His wife Nataša is a Serb internally displaced person from Priština/Prishtinë.
Stevica’s family of five has been living in a building which was adapted for housing.
The family up to date has not been able to find a long-term solution.
Poprtnjak said that without Kosovo civil documents he is having difficulties and he
cannot travel outside his living location. He has complex legal situation when it
comes to being equipped with Kosovo personal documents. He hopes that his
situation will be solved. The family lives in difficult socio-economic situation. They
have no property.
“Through regulation of my Kosovo civil documents I will be able to apply for social
assistance for my children” stated Stevica.
Page 9 - Story of Stevica Poprtnjak Page 10
Story of Shyqrije Selani Shyqrije Selani, a 81-year-old Kosovo Albanian used to live in her house in the
neighbourhood Kodra e Minatorëve/Mikro Naselje in Mitrovica/Mitrovicë North.
“You must not lose faith in humanity”! She remembers with sorrow, her house burning and her journey walking from
Mitrovicë/Mitrovica to Durrës in March 1999. After a three-month stay in a tent in very
difficult conditions she remembers her return and accommodation in a private house
in Prishtinë/Pristina.
She decided to move again and found an accommodation in a collective centre in
Stantërg/Stari Trg. This was supposed to be a temporary accommodation but lasted for
nearly 18 years.
In her deep thoughts she reflects how she had to take care of her two-month old niece.
The living conditions were very hard.
“I was the happiest person in the world when I realized that I’ll get an apartment at the
Social Housing in Stantërg/Stari Trg”, said Shyqrije.
Advancing Together (AT) and UNHCR advocated and provided a continued support
throughout the process of beneficiary selection for Social Housing Program of
Mitrovicë/Mitrovica South municipality and the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare in
Stantërg/Stari Trg.
Among other, UNHCR supported Shyqrije with house appliances.
With mixed feelings of joy and sadness at the same time, she said that two months ago, her
niece got married! “I am very happy for her, but also sad, because I’m lonely now” - says
Shyqrije.
However, she says that “she has never lost hope and trust in humanity”!
She is happy to host guests with whom she shares her thoughts and life experiences.
Page 11 - Story of Shyqrije Selani Page 12
Story of Živana Andrejević
“The most important thing in my life is my home.”
“The most important thing in my life is my home”, said Živana, a 75-year-old Kosovo Serb.
She is from Lipjan/Lipljan and lived as an internally displaced person for more than 18
years. Her apartment was occupied illegally. She hired a lawyer and regained her property
in June 2017. She has access to her property and fully enjoys her freedom.
She spends her day knitting and reading. She goes for daily grocery shopping in
Lipjan/Lipljan and once a month in Gračanica/Graçanicë. She receives Kosovo pension
regularly.
She claims that the relationship with her Albanian neighbors is very good, they spend a lot
of time together and despite language difficulties they are able to communicate.
“My neighbor often invites me to accompany
her. We chat and drink tea together.”
She received basic items for adequate living
conditions from relatives and neighbors.
UNHCR provided a washing machine which is
very helpful for Živana’s everyday life.
Page 13 - Story of Živana Andrejević Page 14Story of Đuljiza Zenuni
A returnee without durable solution.
Đjuliza Zenuni has returned in 2017 from Montenegro. Initially she was accommo-
dated at her brother’s in law house, but moved from there after a few months. Cur-
rently she is staying with relatives in a house, with no bathroom and a shared toilet
outside.
“I would live happily If only I had a small house with a single room, a kitchen and a
bathroom”, said Đuljiza, a 56-year-old Kosovo Gorani. The only source of income is
the support she receives from the relatives. Đuljiza has no property and the Munici-
pality could not support her with land allocation.
Page 15 - Story of Đuljiza Zenuni Page 16Story of Eroll Makreshi
With hard work you get a better life for you and family.
Since 1999, Ashkali family Makreshi has lived in displacement, in extreme poverty. After
security situation improved they returned to Fushë Kosovë/Kosovo Polje in 2010. Their
living conditions began to improve only last year when they benefited housing assistance.
“We lived in a tent. The most difficult thing for us, was keeping a clean environment
while lacking water and sanitary facilities”.
The humanitarian assistance enabled the family to improve their integration in
socio-economic aspect, especially taking into account that Eroll is very active in
generating income through his private works. “I do construction work when possible
and also sell goods in the local market”, claims Eroll who seemed very satisfied with the
way life worked out for him and his family in the end.
Even with these difficulties Eroll sends his children to school because he wants a better life
for them.
Page 17 - Story of Eroll Makreshi Page 18Story of Elvis Berisha
“This is our home”!
In 1999 Elvis Berisha was only four years old. He lived with his parents, two brothers and
two sisters at a house built in their land in the village of Caravodicë/Crkvena Vodica in
Obiliq/Obilić Municipality. That same year the family was forced to move with their
! relatives.
“There I started to go to school!” said Elvis. He remembers: “School had bars on the
windows, and we were escorted by KFOR to go to school. ”
On March 2004 the family had to flee again. In a short period of time they changed three
accommodations: a week in Prishtinë/Priština, a month in Gračanica/Graçanicë and eight
months at schools adapted as collective centers in North Mitrovica. The family was finally
settled at collective center former “Hotel 3” in Zvečan/Zveçan
Fourteen years later, Elvis still lives at the same place… Elvis is enrolled at third year of
Law Faculty.
His father never registered ownership for the land he bought. UNHCR and partner
organization Advancing Together are trying to help Elvis and his family regain their
property rights.
The main concern is lack of house and unemployment.
“If we could only get a place to live and find a job… I don’t want to leave, this is our home”
Elvis said.
Page 19 - Story of Elvis Berisha Page 20Story of Dashnim Berisha
Eager to become an Artist!
“I want my son to hold on to his dreams and study hard and have a better life than I have”,
said his father Skender.
This family remained in displacement in Suto Orizari for nearly 17 years. During this time,
Dashnim was educated in Macedonian language, completing elementary and two years of
secondary school - branch of fine arts and hairdresser.
His father's decision to return to Kosovo in June 2017, for Dashnim was difficult but at the
same time exciting!
“The only language I speak is Macedonian, and I face some challenges in terms of
Dashnim, dreams of being an artist! He’s eighteen years old. When his family fled to Suto education after the return of my family to Kosovo“, said Dashnim.
Orizari, North Macedonia he was not born yet. During that time many other Roma families
left Kosovo. Dashnim proudly displays drawings of nature and portraits. He said that his dream is to
continue education so he can further develop his talent as an artist!
This family originally from village Dobrajë e Madhe/Velika Dobranja, Lipjan/Lipljan
municipality, after many difficulties, moving from one place to another was placed in Suto The family now lives in the house they benefited in the village Plemetin/Plemetina,
Orizari, North Macedonia, in June 2000. Dashnim was born in January 2001 and was the first Obiliq/Obilić municipality. The family was supported by UNHCR and its partners on their
child in the family of Skender Berisha. civil registration.
Page 21 - Story of Dashnim Berisha Page 22Story of Ramë Zeqiri
Two years after return, the family feels neglected and hopeless.
“I feel ignored and hopeless! I often think of going back to Montenegro”, said
Ramo Zeqiri. He is the head of an Egyptian family that returned to Brestovnik in
Pejë/Peč, in 2017. The family survives from social assistance.
Ramo is currently living with his wife and five children in a wooden barrack
without water, without bathroom.
The wooden barrack is constructed by the family on his relative’s yard without
proper isolation. This puts the families’ health to risk.
He hopes that one day he will be assisted to solve his housing problem. Ramo
wants to have a home for his children.
Page 23 - Story of Ramë Zeqiri Page 24Story of Veljko Komatovič Return was difficult but we did not give up hope
and now we enjoy a good life.
“Return home after 11 years was very difficult. We were accommodated in tents
donated by UNHCR. The first year after return we experienced provocations and our
properties were occupied. This gave us the impression that we were not welcomed in
the village”, said Veljko 32-years-old Serb returnee.
Despite all difficulties the family decided to stay. In 2011 they moved into a new
house built by funds of the Ministry of Communities and Returns. UNHCR supported
the family by transporting their belongings from Serbia to their home. Assisted by
donors and with bank loans Veljko bought agricultural equipment.
The family works on agriculture and livestock breeding. Veljko got employed at the
municipality of Osojan/Osojane and that improved family’s living conditions.
When we met the couple,
they seemed very happy and
they told us that they were
expecting a third child.
Page 25 - Story of Veljko Komatovič Page 26Story of Besnik Abazi
Internally displaced family with economic hardship.
Besnik and his wife a Roma internally displaced couple from Vushtrri/Vučitrn are
accommodated in an abandoned house in northern Mitrovica with little equip-
ment which is not theirs, in which they raise their five children.
They lack civil documents so they cannot benefit social assistance. The biggest
problem that this family faces is the lack of employment. Besnik collects secondary
raw materials for recycling and this is the only income of the family.
“What I collect and sell in a day is the only source of income for my family”, said
Besnik.
As they do not have an address to register, they do not fulfill the criteria to benefit
social assistance. He addressed this problem with the municipalitie’s social welfare
centre but the solution is pending.
His oldest daughter, Mevljina, 7 years old should enroll in the first grade of elemen-
tary school but she does not posses civil documentation. Advancing Together, UN-
HCR’s partner organization is providing legal assistance and will ensure that the
family will have access to their rights.
“Education is the most important thing in everyones life, so I want my children to
go to school, for a better future", said Besnik.
Page 27 - Story of Besnik Abazi Page 28Story of Šabotić Family
A beginning of a new life.
“During the 1999 conflict, we lost everything and for 18 years of
displacement in Montenegro we used to live in different houses in difficult
financial conditions. Meanwhile, my wife Sabaheta became ill and that
required a lot of expensive medicine,”- said Miftar Šabotić, Bosnian from
Lubovë/Ljubovo – Istog/Istok Municipality.
After return in 2018 the family was accommodated with relatives. “We lost
hope that our life would ever get better,” – said Sabaheta, 51-years-old.
Their living conditions improved after they got housing assistance from
the EU-RRK V. They also received a small tractor and sheep.
Miftar started working in agriculture and livestock farming. That improved
families living conditions.
For the family, this is the beginning of a new life.
Page 29 - Story of Šabotić Family Page 30You can also read
