Four ladies from Nikšić, Konstantina Nina Vojinović, Aleksandra Božović, Zorica Perunović and Svetlana Isailović, say with a smile that they are not afraid of corona. Their only fear is hunger. Not theirs, but the users of the National Kitchen, so they don't feel tired even though they work tirelessly for a month.
The public kitchen in Novaka Ramova Street in Nikšić was opened in July last year. The intention of the NGO "Izvor života", which opened the kitchen, was to work for six days and prepare around 200 meals a day.
As soon as the corona "knocked" on the door of Montenegro, four ladies decided overnight that the kitchen would be open all seven days, and that everyone who invited them would get a hot meal - whether it was people in a state of social need, the sick or the elderly does not recommend going outside.
Before the corona virus, they had 197 users, of which twenty were the ones they delivered food to. And today?
"We have 414 beneficiaries, of which about 230 are those to whom we deliver meals. The first tour starts at eight, then at 9,30:XNUMX, and the third when we finish the division here. We can't get there any other way, even though we have three vehicles at our disposal and are being selflessly helped by the Volunteers of Montenegro, as well as the 'Neighborhood Heroes'. If it weren't for them, they wouldn't be able to do it alone with such a large number of users. In a month, we distributed about ten and a half thousand meals," says Nina, while the smile of satisfaction does not leave her face.
According to her, they don't have to worry about food because every day there are more and more donors, both from all over Montenegro and from abroad. Some have been with them since the beginning of opening the kitchen, many have joined now and help selflessly, and there are quite a few who want to remain anonymous.
"We expected such a large number of people to contact us for a hot meal, but we are surprised by how humane people are. We no longer need to ask for donations. Donors are here with us, ready to help at any time," says Nina gratefully.
"People who pick up a meal here know that this is the only safe meal they have and for that they are really grateful to us. We have about twenty of them, to whom we have brought food before and who also depend on this meal, and the latter are elderly people who cannot go out because of the current situation," she explains.
When asked if she is tired and if she is afraid of corona, she says with a smile:
"So tired. I am happy because we helped so many people, because so many of us came together, because people showed humanity. My Iva, family, friends give me strength. We all have the same wish - for the hungry not to be hungry, for the sick to get well and for the virus to be forgotten as soon as possible. And the crown doesn't want me".
Aleksandra is the head cook. She doesn't have to worry about whether her lunch was successful because grateful looks speak louder than words.
"I am very glad that our users are satisfied. I don't want to disappoint them at any moment. What fills me up and gives me strength in all of this is that my son tells me he is proud of me. I don't need it anymore - he is proud, and the users are grateful and full", says Aleksandra, who almost has a hard time holding back tears when she talks about those for whom she prepares food.
She and Nina agree on the menu and make sure that the same dishes are not repeated during the week. Although she can hardly count what she does during the day, as well as how many hours her working day lasts, she says that she is not tired.
"I am not tired, nothing is difficult for me. I can work like this while breathing," Aleksandra says confidently.
When you see her smile, you believe that she can do so much.
Zorica helps Aleksandra. She likes to work on preparing food and handing out meals to the beneficiaries, but she is not very enthusiastic if she has to give a statement to the press.
She says that her husband does not complain that she works so much because she knows who they are helping. He admits that a man feels beautiful when he can feed someone, but he also reveals what he is afraid of. "I'm only afraid of hunger and Nina," he says with a smile.
Female volunteers also help in the kitchen, and they are a worthy replacement.
It is almost impossible to get a statement from Svetlana, except somewhere on the field. He came to the kitchen only to take meals and then together with the Volunteers of Montenegro and
"Heroes from the neighborhood" delivers food to those who cannot come for it. When all this about the corona becomes yesterday and when life returns to normal, they say that they will not close the doors of the National Kitchen and go on a well-deserved vacation. They will continue to distribute hot meals to those for whom the National Kitchen is their only hope.
Ten Easter eggs for everyone
In addition to the meals, the national kitchen distributed around 320 food packages.
"The 'Hemiias' foundation donated a hundred packages, and we also had a donation from a man who wanted to remain anonymous. We mostly delivered packages to family members who do not come for meals and have no income, because they worked for daily wages until the corona appeared. The organization "Izvor života" organized the "Easter Basket" campaign every year for Easter. This time the action will be a little different. All users will receive ten eggs each, and we will visit a couple of old women we visit every year with an Easter basket," Nina said, adding that all companies involved in the production of eggs donated the same to them.
See more:
Download the app and follow the news
FOLLOW US ON
