Residents of North Mitrovica and Leposavic: We want health, peace, and safety for our children

Residents of North Mitrovica and Leposavic say that in 2026, in addition to health, peace, and prosperity, they want freedom and a sense of security, and to be able to remain on their centuries-old ancestral lands without fear.

Residents of North Mitrovica believe things will get better because, as they say, if they did not believe that, they would not even live in Kosovo.

“Of course we hope. If we didn’t hope, we wouldn’t live here. We trust our authorities, our state, and that is why we are here,” one resident of North Mitrovica said.

Another resident wished above all for health, freedom, and good weather.

One more resident said that this year was good, but that the next one would be better.

“It will be. Next year will be better. Let health come first, then peace, wages, a good standard of living, and so on. We hope for better,” he added.

A female resident said that this year was not bad either, but that it could be better.

“Good, it’s not bad, but it can be better. We hope it will be better,” she said.

An older resident wished for both good health and security for everyone, especially for children.

“First, health, joy, money, and wisdom. Peace and security come first. We have everything else. That I can walk the streets freely, that my grandchildren and children can move around freely. I was born in this part of Mitrovica,” he said.

Residents of Leposavic: We achieved a lot this year, next year we only want health

Residents of Leposavic say they fulfilled most of their wishes this year and that for the next one they have no major wishes other than health for themselves and their families, a more peaceful life, and the ability to remain on their ancestral lands.

One older resident said that all his wishes had already been fulfilled this year, and that the only thing he wants for the next one is health.

“Work went well, health served me well, my children are healthy, I am expecting a granddaughter, I have a grandson, my daughter went to study in Slovenia, so my wishes were fulfilled. Now this year we only expect health, that work goes well, and everything else,” he said.

Another resident, in addition to health, wished in the new year for the decades-long problem of water shortages in Leposavic to be resolved.

“The most basic thing is the health of the family. Everything else is irrelevant besides that, so I don’t expect any major successes. Everything depends on the family’s health and love, that’s it. In the new year I would wish for better living conditions in Leposavic, above all water, because we have been struggling with that for 30 years or more. That is something that would help everyone here live better and remain here in Leposavic,” he emphasized.

A female resident of Leposavic, while extending her best wishes for the new year, said that her success each year is measured through the successes of her children, and that as a mother this is what she is most proud of.

“Well, a lot has been achieved and a lot has not. Let us be alive and healthy and stay here, and everything else will be easy. We have grown children, I believe I set them on the right path, that they are good people, and I am proud of myself for that. I change myself,” she said.