After a traumatic summer in an abandoned kiosk, a family of four from Karlovac has continued their life in a rundown cottage. With the help of neighbors and an employer, they managed to fix it up, but the lack of a bathroom is a daily struggle, especially as winter approaches.
The Amić family from Karlovac, who were forced by difficult family circumstances to spend last summer in an abandoned kiosk in Donje Mekušje, now live in their own small house. Although they have finally found peace and the security of a roof over their heads, their daily life is still marked by a major challenge, living without a bathroom.
Father Marijan, mother Dragana, and their two children, daughter Lucija and son Tomislav, have gone from a situation of complete hopelessness to a modest home in the town of Vodostaj. They bought the house thanks to a loan Marijan took out, but all the funds went toward the purchase of the dilapidated and abandoned property. The renovation of the two rooms where they now live was made possible by good people, neighbors, and acquaintances.
Despite a more stable situation, the family faces a pressing problem. The lack of a bathroom is especially hard on mother Dragana, who takes care of the children's hygiene. "For now, while it's summer, we manage by heating water in pots and bathing outside. The worst part is that winter is coming. It's already August. I don't know how I'll bathe the children. I'll have to heat water in pots again. The hardest part is for Lucija because she goes to school and has to bathe every evening," Dragana Amić described her daily struggle.
The only help that arrived from the authorities this year is an outdoor toilet, which Dragana requested from a representative of the City of Karlovac, Mrs. Draženka. "No one got back to us. The only thing I asked and begged Mrs. Draženka from the City of Karlovac for was an outdoor toilet. We're not used to doing our business in the field. That's what I asked her for, and it arrived, but for anything else, no one from the City has contacted us this year," Dragana stated.
Nevertheless, the family emphasizes that it is the people in their immediate surroundings who have restored their faith in a better tomorrow. Dragana speaks with great gratitude about their new environment. "Given everything we've been through, this is a salvation because there were many people who stood by us and helped us. The neighbors here are very good to us; they're kind, they respect us, and they appreciate us. I'm speechless. Compared to everything, this is paradise," she said.
Marijan extends special thanks to his boss, Nikola Bridić, who has been by the family's side since the beginning of their crisis. "I've been with him for almost six years now. He helps me and even raised my salary. He donated firewood. He asks about us every time and says I can always call him for any kind of help," Marijan Amić stated.
To build a bathroom, the family most needs basic construction materials. As for furniture and furnishing, they say there won't be a problem because many people have already come forward and offered help. Last year's appeal to Member of Parliament and representative of national minorities Veljko Kajtazi went unanswered, but the family hasn't lost hope.
Despite everything, the Amić family is happy to have finally found their peace and security. They believe they will manage to build a bathroom and thus provide their children with conditions worthy of a human being.
Anyone wishing to help the Amić family can contact them at 095 318 9887. Financial donations can be made to account HR4424020063104561739, with payment model HR00 or HR99 and the description "donation for the Amić family."
