Love is the only thing that cannot be taken away from us.

The words of Novica Ilić from Sušiće about the loss of his cattle touched the hearts of many people. After our visit and the published account, the Ilić family received support that is helping them rebuild their household and look forward to more secure days.

Brothers Novica and Marko Ilić live with their families in the village of Sušiće, in the Sirinićka Župa region. They make their living through farming and producing the famous Šar cheese, supporting their families and providing education for their seven children. Recently, four cows and ten goats were taken from them, causing losses amounting to more than €11,500.

Although we had not launched an appeal for donations, kind-hearted people kept reaching out to us, eager to help. The Visoki Dečani Monastery had already promised to replace the cows that had been taken from the family. However, our readers and donors also wanted to contribute and make it easier for the Ilić family to start over.

To everyone’s joy, the story of this family, the village of Sušiće and its famous Šar cheese soon reached far and wide. Their story brought people together, inspiring them to join forces and offer support when it was needed most.

Support for the Ilić Family Came from Near and Far

The story reached the Holy Monastery of Hilandar, the Hilandar Monastery Endowment, the Serbian association Baštinik from the Republic of Srpska, as well as employees of Imlek. Together with the Raška-Prizren Diocese, Visoki Dečani Monastery, our donors and readers, they joined the effort to help the family.

The Raška-Prizren Diocese has already provided ten sheep and ten goats. The replacement of all the cows that were taken is also expected soon, allowing the Ilić family to once again rely on the work that has sustained them for years.

Rebuilding their herd means returning to their daily work, producing Šar cheese and earning the income they have relied on to raise and educate their children.

Our Donors Contributed €3,000 for Livestock Feed

The restored herd also needs food. This is why we owe special thanks to our organization’s donors, who contributed a total of €3,000 for the Ilić family

Thanks to their support, Novica now has the funds needed to purchase livestock feed for the year ahead. This assistance makes rebuilding the household easier and allows the family to look forward to the return of their cows with greater peace of mind.

Every donation was also a message to the Ilić family: people had heard their story, and they wanted them to know they were not alone.

Our Volunteers Arranged a Scholarship for Mihajlo

Our organization’s volunteers also stepped forward to help. They arranged a <strong>scholarship for Novica’s son, Mihajlo.

Mihajlo is a university student, and whenever he is home, he helps his family with the daily work around the household. Following Novica’s spinal surgery, his contribution has become even more important.

Now, he will also have the support of our volunteers, who wanted to make his studies easier and help him continue pursuing his education.

Every Person Who Stood by Us Means So Much

Novica says it is difficult to put his gratitude into words:

Thank you so much, and thanks be to God. I never expected this, but I hoped there were still good people out there, and I am deeply grateful to them. It means so much to me. Every single person who stood by us means a great deal

After the sadness caused by the loss of their animals and the uncertainty facing the family, joy and hope are returning to the Ilić household. Along with them comes the realization that their story has moved so many people to reach out and lend a helping hand.

This campaign has shown us just how compassionate and generous our people are, and how deeply they care when they see injustice. It has also shown how many people are willing to help, each according to their means.

Thank you to everyone who stood by the Ilić family. As long as we have one another, we have everything we need. Love is the one thing that can never be taken away from us.

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