Some donations are measured not only in money, but also in the smiles, hugs and memories they make possible. During its first
year of operation, the Mileva Project, a nonprofit organization founded in America, has been writing exactly such a story,
with the goal of enabling children of Serbian descent to discover Serbia, spend time with their families,
and feel a connection with the country their parents and ancestors came from.
Thanks to individuals and companies who recognized the value of this idea, $133,532 was raised over the course of one year through 94 donations. During the summer holidays, 31 children from ten U.S. states traveled to Serbia, where they visited more than 15 locations with their families, met relatives, made new friends and created memories they will carry with them across the ocean.
Behind this project is its founder, Serbian businessman Antonije Keljević, who has spent a large part of his life in the diaspora and understands firsthand how difficult it can be to live far from family and one’s homeland. His personal experience inspired an idea that today brings together people willing to help as many children from America as possible get the opportunity to visit Serbia.
A round-trip plane ticket costs an average of around $1,300. For families with several children, this can represent a significant financial burden, but thanks to the donors supporting the Mileva Project, the journey to Serbia was much easier for 31 children this summer.
Support that turned an idea into reality
Much of the credit for the results achieved so far goes to the companies, entrepreneurs and individuals who believed in the Mileva Project from the very beginning. Their support shows how much a community can contribute to preserving the ties between new generations and their country of origin.
Among the donors is AAA Lease LLC, an American company involved in the sale, rental and leasing of trucks and trailers, providing support to the transportation industry. The organization Milenijalci za Srbiju (Millennials for Serbia), which brings together people dedicated to initiatives important to Serbia and the Serbian community, has also generously supported the Mileva Project through donations.
Another friend of the project is RouteMate LLC, an American technology company that develops software solutions for fleet management, vehicle tracking and improving driver safety. Support has also come from Tudor’s, a local fashion brand involved in clothing production and sales that recognized the project’s importance.
Support has also been provided by TruFunding LLC, which offers financial solutions for the transportation industry and helps companies with their day-to-day operations. Magnum Freight, Inc., an American company specializing in road freight transportation and logistics services across the United States, has also joined the Mileva Project.
Other donors include Mintero, a company from Ivanjica specializing in wood processing, and Soho Truck Center, an American company specializing in truck and trailer servicing and maintenance.
Companies MN89 Inc., Star BG, Inc., AAA Freight, Inc., Exceed LLC and Johal Carrier, Inc., which operate in the road transportation and logistics sectors, have also contributed to the results achieved so far.
The Mileva Project also owes special thanks to numerous individuals, families and anonymous donors. Some of them have experienced life far from Serbia themselves, while others have simply recognized how much a trip can mean to a child growing up thousands of kilometers away from the land of their ancestors.
The Mileva Project extends its sincere gratitude to all of them, not only for their financial support but also for the trust they have placed in an idea that is just beginning its journey. Thanks to their generosity and willingness to help, donations have become real trips, reunions with loved ones and summer memories the children will cherish forever.
The first year is only the beginning
The first trips have shown how much a good idea can mean when it brings the right people together. Children who had previously known Serbia through family stories, photographs and conversations had the opportunity to discover it in their own way this summer. They heard their parents’ language spoken in the streets, spent time with their grandparents and discovered places they may look forward to visiting again as soon as next summer.
For the Mileva Project, this is only the beginning. In addition to funding round-trip plane tickets, the organization plans to develop new programs, including summer camps, language and educational workshops, cultural excursions and social gatherings through which children from the diaspora will be able to get to know Serbia — and one another — even better.
For this story to continue growing, new friends, donors and partners are needed.
For someone, $1,300 is the amount of a single donation. For a child, it can be a ticket to a long-awaited embrace.
The Mileva Project is therefore inviting companies, entrepreneurs, organizations and individuals to become part of the initiative. Support can be provided through donations, long-term partnerships and by raising awareness of the project, helping information reach as many families of Serbian descent in America as possible.
Because every new friendship and every new contribution to the Mileva Project can mean one more child soon getting the opportunity to come to Serbia.
Become part of the Mileva Project, too.
More information about the project and donation opportunities is available at www.milevaproject.org.
Tekst: PR Foto: Promo
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