Our father always helped others and watching him we realized that if you help someone, you are actually helping yourself. We learned humanity from him and that we should always help a person who is in trouble, regardless of religion, nation or any other affiliation, says Denisona Beriša, a twenty-five-year-old woman from Nikšić who, together with her sister Merljinda, who is four years younger, received the "Spark" , a special award for young philanthropists awarded by the Fund for Active Citizenship (fAKT).
Their father was a good teacher, so the two of them passed the humanities exam with the highest marks.
The many families whose homes they entered and brought food, clothes, New Year's packages, smiles know this best.
"I started volunteering in elementary school. Whenever I heard that someone needed help, that clothes, shoes, food, hygiene products were being collected, I was always the first to help. When they asked who could take the collected aid, I was the first to answer. They were amazed at how I always answer and can reach everything, and I explained to them that I can because I am happy to be able to help someone", says Merljinda with an irresistible smile.
And the smile, in addition to humanity, is the trademark of the sisters who are volunteers of the Red Cross, but also of numerous non-governmental organizations. Merljinda is also a mediator for health care, while Denisona is a mediator for social care - first she was at "Help", and now at the Center for Social Work, under the Ministry of Human Rights.
Happy when they can help someone
"I started volunteering in 2018. With Dragan, Radovan and other people from the Red Cross, I visited the entire municipality of Nikšić, bringing food, shoes, clothes, hygiene to those who need it. It made me feel wonderful, and I slept much better at night knowing that someone had something to eat and wear because of that help," says Denisona.
Although each action has a special place in their hearts, Merljinda remembers two in particular.
"I remember the happiness of the children from the Roma-Egyptian population, who live in very difficult conditions in Brlja, when we took them New Year's packages. It seems to me that I was equally happy when I saw how happy they were with those gifts. Another situation that I particularly remember is when I took food to a family from the majority community who had nothing to eat and were living in disastrous conditions. "Often, when I pass by that settlement with my parents, I tell them that people live there to whom I brought food and who, at least for a while, were not hungry because of that help," says Merljinda.
For her, humanity is the best thing that exists in a person, and she says that a volunteer can only be someone who does it from the heart and knows that it's not all about money, but that much more is in the helping hand.
"If you do good to someone, then they will return good to you. I always start from the fact that today we help someone, and if we need help tomorrow, there will always be people who will provide us with that help", believes Denisona, who after finishing elementary school wanted to enroll in pharmacy, but she was too late with the enrollment and ended up trade, because there were vacancies in that direction.
Later, she entered the faculty, majoring in pedagogy, but as her father fell ill in the meantime, she started working, since they needed money, and the faculty is still "on hold".
Merljinda graduated as an economic technician, while their youngest sister is a student in the fourth grade of high school, majoring in sales technician. They also have a brother, he is the oldest, and he lives abroad.
It's really good to be good
"There are still a lot of them from the Roma-Egyptian community who do not have their papers in order, and I will be really happy when I help them solve their social status. Recently, it happened that I managed to finish the papers for one person and I felt like I finished it for myself," the older sister points out.
The two know how to organize independent actions and are proud that people always respond to their invitation. They are especially proud of the "Spark" award that was presented to them in January. They point out that they still cannot believe that they were among the laureates, that they were surrounded by so many humanists and that some of them even shed a tear because of their award.
"The award means a lot to us because it showed, not only in the minority community, but also in the majority community, that someone appreciates our work and that it is good to be good. This is a confirmation of our work and commitment to help the community, but also an obligation to continue doing so", emphasizes Denisona.
Merljinda adds that all of this was unexpected for them and she is sure that their happiness and excitement was noticed by everyone who was at the "Spark" awards ceremony that evening. With a smile, he points out that people now recognize them on the street and that it is not uncommon for strangers to approach them, congratulate them, and give them words of support.
They don't think much when they have to answer the question of what they would do if they got a million euros. They respond almost in unison to help children without parental care.
"I love children the most and it gives me fulfillment when I can help them. Especially to children who don't have parents. There is nothing better than helping them, because they deserve it," says Denisona.
Both would like to visit the Children's Home "Mladost" and hope that their wish will come true.
"We want to go to them, to see what it's like there, what they do, if they need help, to hang out with them," Merljinda points out.
She had the opportunity to meet the users of the Home for the Elderly in Nikšić and is especially happy about that.
“It was very emotional there. The first time I went I saw a woman who looked like my grandmother who was such a beautiful woman. As soon as I saw her I said that she must be a good person and that I must be with her. Every time I go to the Nursing Home, I have to sit next to that woman who is so dear to me. They are all wonderful there and it is a real pleasure to meet them and hang out with them".
In addition to humanitarian work, the Beriša sisters also participate in environmental actions, attend various seminars and workshops, educate themselves, but also educate the majority population by talking about the culture and traditions of the Roma and Egyptians, and try to be a good example for young people to follow in their footsteps.
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