Serbs in Istok Municipality: Nobody knows what tomorrow holds, but we are not thinking about leaving

In Istok Municipality, there used to be over 10,000 Serbs; now, in 19 villages, there are barely 500 left. Osojane was the first place in Metohija where Serbs returned in 2001 after being expelled. Since then, they have been determined to live on their properties, despite the challenges. The recent incursion of the Kosovo Police into the Provisional Municipal Authority and the Health Center demonstrates that their life isn't easy.

Milorad Stojanovic from Crkolez, Istok Municipality, resides in Osojane. He says the people are struggling in difficult conditions.

"Previously, the biggest issue was employment, but today we face frequent attacks on returnees, arrests. Here, there's a need for more investment in new jobs as well as the construction of individual family homes for young couples. Many families have chosen to live here even when they were unemployed, in difficult conditions, and now that they have jobs and their own homes, of course, they want to stay here," Stojanovic says.

He emphasizes that assistance is welcome, and every new job gives hope that families won't leave their ancestral homes.

"Above all, with the help of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija, which assists in solving all our problems. Thanks to the Office for Kosovo and Metohija, a kindergarten has been opened with 25 children, and alongside them, 10 workers are employed, all of whom plan to stay in this area, which is of great importance to our municipality of Istok. Here, we also have the 'Rados Tosic' Elementary School with about 47 students, and we even have a branch of the Gorazdevac High School-Gymnasium with about ten students," Stojanovic said.

The opening of the separate department of the Preschool Institution "Maja" from Banja in Osojane on May 1, 2023, was particularly joyful news for the residents of Istok Municipality, educator Andjela Bukumiric said.

"The opening of this preschool institution means everything to everyone here, as evidenced by every smile on the faces of our happy and contented children. Thanks to the Office for Kosovo and Metohija and the great efforts of our president, the opening of this separate department here in Osojane was successful. We are happy and satisfied, and our mission is for the children to be happy and content here. If they aren't, the mission is unsuccessful," Bukumiric said.

Nebojsa Gasic from Osojane left his native village for two years when Serbs were expelled, but he says he no longer plans to leave.

"I'm here with my family, and my children are here, grandchildren, and we'll stay here, there's no doubt about it. Our ancestors were born here, we are natives. We were born here, we live here, and we will stay here, and we are not thinking of leaving," Gasic said.

He claims there are no major problems within the village. There were robberies, forest clearings, but he notes that the situation has improved.

"We live as everywhere, some better, some worse. Those who have jobs live the best, those who work at school, the health center, the post office, Serbian institutions, those people don't live so badly. Those who don't have regular income or have very little, a social assistance, they live worse," Gasic said.

However, there is not much perspective for the youth. Milan Simonovic from Srbobran studies in North Mitrovica. He says he doesn't know what tomorrow holds, but also that he is not dwelling on it.

"It is a bit harder for the youth because they don't have much perspective. There's nowhere to stroll, to go out. Many of them have left Osojane, and socializing is scarce. I study; I'm doing my master's in Kosovska Mitrovica. I live in Srbobran, near Djurakovac. Luckily, I have my car because it would otherwise be a problem, as there are only two buses a week, and you can't stay in Mitrovica for five days," Simonovic said.

The Kosovo Online team also visited the town of Istok. Only a few Serbs live there, and in the city center proudly stands the Church of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, where Serbian heritage is preserved by priest Nebojsa Sekulic with his wife Aleksandra and their children, Gavrilo, Andrej, Petar, and Djordje.