Branka Dragović from Nikšić has been a single parent for seven years. Her ex-husband died four years ago, and while he was alive, as she says, not that he didn't help them, but he didn't even come to see the children. The three of them live on social assistance, but Branka doesn't complain. She says she is hardworking, has the will to work, because she has someone to work for, for two beautiful children who are excellent students, but also athletes, especially her daughter who has over 150 medals. Sells seasonal flowers, candles, brews coffee at the flea market. She is also helped by her daughter and the children, as Branka points out, do not lack the most important thing - enormous parental love, so they do not feel that they do not have another parent. The only problem they have is citizenship. The children were born and lived in Serbia until the divorce, so they have Serbian citizenship. That's why Branka decided to seek help from the Parents Association, which started this week with gatherings of single-parent families in Nikšić.
"Although I am from Nikšić, I have Montenegrin citizenship and I have a court ruling that I am the guardian of the children, they only have permanent residence, but not citizenship. The MUP told me that ten years should pass since their stay. I can't wait that long because the children would like to enroll in the police school in Danilovgrad, and the first thing that is required is that they are citizens of Montenegro. My son is in the seventh grade, those two years pass quickly. He is an excellent student, he has the desire to enroll, but no matter how strong the child's will is, that one paper challenges him. That's why I came," says Branka.
The first meeting, besides her, was attended by several other parents, and the topic of the meeting was alimony, but the support team was available to parents for other problems as well.
"The support team has existed since March 2016, and due to the interest of parents, we decided to start holding group meetings in Nikšić as well. The meetings will be held every last Thursday of the month to begin with, and depending on the parents' interest, more often," said Ivana Dukić from the Parents' Association.
According to her, the work experience so far has shown that the problems of single parents are complex, starting from alimony, custody of children, to obtaining consent to leave the country, disobeying the decision regarding the dynamics of watching the child...
"In the team, we have a lawyer, psychological support and peer counselors who are available to parents at all times and we communicate with them literally every day. We are successfully solving the problems for now. We have relatively good cooperation with institutions, we also communicate with centers for social work, the Security Center, courts," said Dukić.
They will also try to successfully solve the problem of Branka Dragović and for her children to obtain citizenship. Branka's daughter, who is called a "child prodigy", is involved in judo, gymnastics and athletics, on the basis of a certificate of permanent residence, and is already performing for Montenegro and bringing medals. Branka hopes that it will soon be based on citizenship, and that her son will be able to fulfill his wish and enroll in school in Danilovgrad.
"Women must not suffer violence"
"Essentially, it is much better for children to live with one parent than to see bullying or physical and psychological abuse, because then there is also a psychological disorder in children. A good divorce is better than a bad marriage. Nothing is difficult for me, because everything you do with kissing is not difficult. And I have two wonderful children and I have to fight for them. I would tell all single parents not to let there be obstacles in their lives, to just move forward. When you have children there is no obstacle. Fight till the end. Women must not allow themselves to suffer violence. They just need to break down once and move on," said Branka.
See more:
Download the app and follow the news
FOLLOW US ON
