The public kitchen 'Mother of the Nine Jugovic Brothers' has been resisting challenges for 22 years

The public kitchen "Mother of the Nine Jugovic Brothers," which operates in Kosovo through the Raska-Prizren Eparchy, has been resisting challenges for 22 years while feeding thousands of hungry people and is among the first addresses for assistance for many Serbs south of the Ibar River. The director, Svetlana Stevic, told Kosovo Online that despite the problems they face, this organization manages to provide meals for its beneficiaries.

The first public kitchen "Mother of the Nine Jugovic Brothers" was opened on November 21, 22 years ago, in the village of Prekovce in the municipality of Novo Brdo. There are now six kitchens where food is prepared daily for nearly 3,000 users of this kitchen.

"We have six public kitchens; here, food is prepared for the Novo Brdo municipality and the Gnjilane municipality. We also have two kitchens in Kosovska Kamenica, one in Vitina, and the latest one was opened in the village of Berkovo in the municipality of Klina, where we have the smallest number of users because there are fewer people in that area," emphasized Stevic.

In addition to the daily-prepared meals, the public kitchens help their users in other ways, ranging from clothing, scholarships, school supplies for children to agricultural machinery, and basic household necessities.

However, as Stevic points out, "Mother of the Nine Jugovic Brothers" is just an extended hand of good people worldwide who recognize good intentions and humanity.

"There are various problems we encounter. The number of users is increasing, and now people are a bit more frightened by the situation, so they come daily not only to ask for food and bread but also for other household necessities, scholarships for children, furniture, help with agricultural machinery, school supplies, clothing, shoes, and more. Public kitchens are not just places where food is prepared; the 'Mother of the Nine Jugovic Brothers' organization is much more than that. I can say that we care about people's lives, but we are just an extension of good people worldwide who send aid and know about our work. Many people know about us and what we do, and they try to reach our people and provide assistance," added Stevic.

No year since the organization's founding has been easy, says Svetlana, and in 2023, the most challenging aspect was securing all the necessary groceries due to the Kosovo government's ban on importing Serbian products.

"A quite challenging year. I cannot single out any of the 22 years and say that it was easy. This one wasn't great either; there were challenges in procuring and delivering groceries due to the tax imposed by the Kosovo authorities. We face problems, but so far, we encounter understanding for our work, and people come to our aid upon request. But we are accustomed to doing what we do, and I can say that we are well-coordinated," she stated.

She added that they own land, farms, and a dairy with the aim of employing people who have stayed in these areas and reducing dependence on donors.

"We have over 46 hectares of land where all kinds of vegetables are grown. We also have pig farms, cattle, sheep, goats, and our own dairy, all with the goal of contributing to keeping the public kitchens running as long as possible and employing people who have stayed here to live. We have many young people who have started their families, had children, and it is our desire for them to stay in their homelands. We try as much as we can to help them," Stevic said.

As the users of the public kitchens are not only Serbs but also Albanians and Roma, Svetlana says that they do not divide people based on nationality or religious affiliation, and their doors are open to anyone in need.

"We do not differentiate based on national and religious preferences. Our users are all those who seek help. We have Albanians, Roma, and Serbs. We have never been politically oriented, and we have never turned away anyone who came seeking food; everyone is welcome. Users are those who do not have enough to prepare food on their own. On the other hand, we have families with many children, elderly, sick, social cases... We try that when we receive a request for food, we go to the field, visit the family, and make an effort to include them as beneficiaries," said Stevic.

Svetlana Stevic has been widely recognized in Serbia for her humanitarian work, including this year's Sretenje Order presented to her by the President of Serbia.

However, she doesn't like to talk about it and emphasizes that she is always there to help.

"I don't like to mention that. I work for God, for our people, and for all the poor in these areas. Doing this job is hard, but we are one big family. The church is a gathering place where people come together; they trust it because the church does not abandon its people. Let others talk about the awards; I am here to always help," concluded Stevic.

A user of the public kitchen, Slobodan Arsic from Prekovce, said that the daily meal he receives means a lot to him.

"I have been a user of the kitchen for more than 15 years; it's close to me. I live on a minimum wage, as one must. The public kitchen means a lot to me; I have bread, and with bread, one has everything," said Arsic.

Miladin Kostic, who has been working as a chef in the "Mother of the Nine Jugovic Brothers" public kitchen since its establishment, says that preparing food in this organization has become his way of life.

While lovingly preparing meals and waiting for the users, he says that everyone employed, led by the manager Svetlana Stevic, is working hard to ensure the survival of the public kitchen.

"I couldn't live without my job. This is my love; I have been working here for 22 years. I am happy when people come, and they leave with smiles. We try as much as we can to please the people. We feed over two thousand people. Food from the warehouse here goes to six kitchens; it's not a small amount," emphasized Kostic.