Liberian woman Yeilevor (Jelena) Gbalah left her homeland three years ago and moved to Pančevo, where she met Nikola Pavlović, whom she later married!
She came to Serbia at the invitation of her aunt, traveling 8,157 kilometers, and started a new life in Serbia. Initially, she worked in a café and a hair salon, where she specialized in braiding afro braids. Once she got on her feet, she managed to open her own salon in Pančevo, where she exclusively braids African-style hair in various ways.
“I came from Liberia three years ago. My aunt had a salon and invited me to come and work. Last year, I opened my own salon, and I’m more than satisfied. People here have welcomed me warmly and were willing to help. In these three years, I haven’t had a single bad experience,” Jelena told Kurir.
Her family supported her decision to leave Liberia.
“They’re okay with it as long as I’m happy. I had a good life there, and I have a good life here too. Comparing life here and in Liberia is difficult because my family and friends are there. I miss them a lot, and we talk over video calls whenever we have time,” she said wistfully.
Learning Serbian and the Challenges of Hair Braiding
She admits that learning Serbian has been difficult, but she is making progress.
“I have a lot of customers and work, and so far, business is going well. I’ve been braiding hair since I was little. It’s a tough job, and I have to admit, I sometimes find it tiring. The longest it ever took me to braid someone’s hair was eight hours—the style was micro braids. Some braids require a lot of time, so I take breaks when the client wants. It’s a lot of sitting, but I mostly stand while working. That one time I braided for eight hours straight, it was really exhausting,” Jelena recalled.
Loving Palić, Stuffed Peppers, and Ajvar
Jelena enjoys life in Serbia, and among all the beautiful places she has visited, her favorite is Palić.
“That’s my favorite place! As for food, I’ve fallen in love with đuveč (vegetable and meat stew), stuffed peppers, sarma, and ajvar. When it comes to music, I love listening to Saša Matić, Aleksandra Prijović, Breskvica, and Silvija Đogani,” Jelena listed.
Finding Love in Serbia
A year after arriving in Serbia, she met Nikola.
“We met in Pančevo through a mutual friend. He and Nikola came to the café where I was working, and that’s where we met, exchanged numbers, and everything started from there. I liked him at first sight, and later, love followed,” she said with a laugh.
“Our wedding was wonderful, and I was very happy that my father was able to attend. It was a modest celebration with our closest family and friends—we had 20 guests. First, we got married at the municipality, then took photos, and finally, we all went to a restaurant to celebrate our day with music. Now, we are planning to have a baby,” she revealed
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Source: Kurir, Foto: Printscreen Tik Tok